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Product Manager III - Drinking Water

Zurn Elkay · Downers Grove, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a product line you managed. How did you decide where to invest?

What they are checking: Whether they make portfolio choices with data and strategy rather than reacting to the loudest request.

Tell me about a time you had to manage a product through end of life.

What they are checking: Whether they handle retiring products with care for customers, inventory and service parts.

How do you work with engineering, operations and sales to get a launch out on time?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead without direct authority across all the teams a launch needs.

What would you do

A competitor launches a similar product at a lower price. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they think about value, positioning and cost before simply cutting price.

About the work

Drinking water products include bottle filling stations, fountains and filtration. What trends do you see shaping that market?

What they are checking: Whether they understand demand drivers like schools, healthy buildings and water quality concerns.

How would you gather input from architects, facility managers and plumbing contractors?

What they are checking: Whether they know who specifies, buys and installs these products and talk to each group.

What role do standards like NSF certification and lead-free requirements play in your product decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they know the regulations and certifications that decide if a drinking water product can be sold.

How do you build a business case for a new product or major redesign?

What they are checking: Whether they can tie market size, pricing and cost into a case leadership will approve.

How do you set pricing for a new product?

What they are checking: Whether they consider value to the customer, competition and margin goals together.

What metrics do you use to track the health of a product line?

What they are checking: Whether they watch sales, margin, share and quality signals together to guide decisions.

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The full job description

As published by Zurn Elkay.

Product Manager III - Drinking Water The Company Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We’re a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow. Named by Newsweek as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today’s leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you’ll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com. If you’re ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family! If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally. The Product Manager III for Drinking Water is responsible for leading the NPD, sustaining, and supply chain product roadmap and driving 80/20 strategies across the Drinking Water portfolio execution across assigned product categories. This role owns NPD product roadmaps, the sustaining project idea funnel, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and operational efficiency goals. The position also provides technical product training and customer support, partnering closely with engineering, operations, and commercial teams to improve product performance, simplify portfolios, and enhance customer experience. Reports to: Sr. Director, Product Management Key Focus Areas • Own and evolve the multi‑year NPD roadmap for the Drinking Water portfolio, ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and enterprise strategic priorities. • Translate strategic objectives into clear, actionable NPD project pipelines with defined value propositions and business cases. • Lead cross‑functional teams—including engineering, operations, procurement, finance, and commercial—in the execution of NPD programs from ideation through commercialization. • Drive stage‑gate activities and ensure projects meet scope, schedule, cost, and quality deliverables. • Lead the Sustaining & Supply Chain Roadmap: Develop and maintain the executive roadmap for sustaining and supply chain projects within the Drinking Water category, aligning business objectives and customer expectations. • Own the Sustaining Project Funnel: Build and manage the sustaining project idea funnel, prioritizing initiatives that drive quality improvements, cost reductions, and supply continuity. • Drive 80/20 Strategy Execution: Lead portfolio simplification and standardization efforts across the Drinking Water product line to improve profitability, operational efficiency, and customer focus. • Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with engineering, operations, supply chain, and sourcing teams to deliver sustaining initiatives on time and within budget. • Replacement Parts: Own the strategy and execution of parts business to optimize product offering and maximize profit within the category. • Product Lifecycle Ownership: Monitor and manage existing products throughout their lifecycle to ensure ongoing competitiveness, compliance, and manufacturability. • Support Supply Chain Optimization: Identify and execute opportunities to mitigate risk, enhance material availability, and improve production flow through product changes or sourcing adjustments. • Provide Technical Training: Develop and deliver training materials for internal stakeholders, sales representatives, and customers to strengthen technical product knowledge and confidence. • Customer and Field Support: Serve as a technical point of contact for product-related inquiries, field applications, and issue resolution. • Data-Driven Decision Making: Use analytics to measure project performance, cost savings, and product health, providing insights that guide strategic priorities. • Champion Continuous Improvement: Promote a culture of simplification, operational excellence, and data-based decision-making throughout the Drinking Water product organization. Competencies • Strategic and analytical thinking • Continuous improvement mindset • Customer and results orientation • Technical and business acumen • Strong communication Qualifications / Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred. • 7+ years of experience in Product Management, Engineering, or Operations, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial products environment. • Proven experience leading sustaining initiatives or 80/20 portfolio simplification programs. • Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, cost reduction, and value engineering principles. • Excellent project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. • Technical aptitude with the ability to translate engineering concepts into customer value. • Proficiency in data analysis and product performance reporting. Total Rewards and Benefits • Competitive Salary • Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance • Matching 401(k) Contribution • Health Savings Account • Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure) • 12 Paid Holidays • Annual Bonus Eligibility • Educational Reimbursement • Matching Gift Program • Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount! **THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.** E qual Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

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