Jobs › Pentair

Product Manager

Pentair · North Aurora, IL · $82,300–$152,800 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 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

Walk me through a product you took from idea to launch. What decisions were yours?

What they are checking: Whether they have truly owned launch decisions, not just supported someone who did.

Tell me about a cross-functional initiative where engineering, operations and sales disagreed. How did you get to a decision?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead without authority and move a group to a decision.

Tell me about a time a product of yours was underperforming. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they take business ownership and act on poor results instead of explaining them away.

What would you do

You think a low-volume product should be discontinued, but sales says a key customer still buys it. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can make product line optimization calls with data while managing customer impact.

How do you learn what customers need when they are contractors and distributors rather than end users?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical ways to gather voice of customer through the channel.

This role offers visibility across a global organization. How do you present a portfolio recommendation to senior leaders?

What they are checking: Whether they can make a clear, data-backed business case to executives.

About the work

You will own the product lifecycle for portfolios in the fire suppression vertical. What do you know about how fire suppression products are bought and specified?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the channel, codes and specifiers that drive demand in this market.

How would you decide whether to raise the price on a mature product line?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh margin, competition, volume risk and customer relationships in pricing decisions.

How do you measure whether a product launch was successful a year later?

What they are checking: Whether they evaluate post-launch results against the business case, which the posting asks for.

Fire suppression products must meet certifications like UL and FM. How would that affect your launch planning?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for long approval timelines and regulatory requirements in this market.

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The full job description

As published by Pentair.

Job Description: At Pentair, you will work alongside passionate problem-solvers who are committed to the future of our planet. We put our purpose into practice, helping people sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life's most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, our 9,750 global employees serve customers in more than 150 countries, working to help improve lives and the environment around the world. We have an opportunity for a Product Manager to join our North Aurora, IL team. You will own the product life cycle management and business performance of key product portfolios in the fire suppression vertical market. You will make critical decisions on product and program launches, pricing management, product line optimization, while driving portfolio growth and leading cross-functional initiatives that impact the broader business. This is an ideal opportunity for a collaborative professional with broad functional experience who is ready to take on true business ownership and visibility across a global organization. ** You will work a hybrid work schedule (3 days/week on-site) in North Aurora, IL. ** #LI-Hybrid You will: • Lead and oversee the product lifecycle from ideation through launch and post-launch evaluation, ensuring continuous profitability and commercial success. Provide leadership and coordination for all strategic initiatives within the product portfolio, line optimization, channel expansion, maintenance of existing products, complexity reduction, product obsolescence, pricing strategy, lead time and inventory management. • Provide recommendations and execute strategic initiatives to successfully drive sustainable organic growth (identify, prepare, execute, and track plans to grow the business), and to achieve profit margin expectations, in alignment with C&IF business unit objectives. • Collaborate with all cross-functional and category leadership teams (sales, finance, marketing, engineering & manufacturing operations) to establish and execute channel strategy, develop demand plans, deliver on financial targets, and participate in SIOP process. • Partner with Operations, as well as Finance, Supply, and Engineering, to optimize product cost and customer pricing to maximize revenue and margin. • Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for assigned product families to support internal teams, field sales, channel partners, and end-users as required, including supporting the development of training materials for the assigned product lines, and providing collateral support for specifying Engineers. Key Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or Engineering required. • Have 5+ years of progressive experience in Product Life Cycle management of engineered products/projects, and a strong ability to think strategically and develop a compelling vision for the product. • Advanced proficiency in data analysis, product, market analytics and excellent interpretation of voice of the customer to communicate and support product decisions, measure success, and identify new opportunities. Strong financial and commercial acumen. • Cross-functional leadership and collaborations working with cross-functional teams such as product management, operations, strategic marketing, finance, and/or engineering, in a manufacturing or engineering environment. Experience with commercial clean water centrifugal pumps is a plus. • Excellent organizational, communication, relationship-building, and project management skills; including experience coordinating multiple, time-sensitive projects, new product introductions and program launches. • Demonstrated ability to be a thought-leader and presenter for key initiatives with internal and external audiences at all levels. • 15-25% travel (including international as needed) for tradeshows, conferences, customer visits, and other business-related needs. Compensation: For this full-time position working at this location, the anticipated annualized base pay range will be from $82300 - $152800 / year. At Pentair, it is not typical for an individual to be hired near the bottom or top of the pay range. Pentair considers various factors in determining actual compensation for this position at the expected location. Actual compensation will be commensurate with demonstrable level of experience and training, pertinent education including licensure and certifications, work location, and other relevant business or organizational needs. This position may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as, annual incentive bonus and/or long-term incentives. Benefits: As a Pentair employee, you would enjoy a wide array of benefit options to help keep you and your family healthy and protected, health benefits, a generous 401(k), employee stock purchase program, disability benefits, life insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, parental leave, caregiver leave, tuition reimbursement, plus paid time off and wellness programs to encourage a healthy work/life balance. Equal Opportunity Employer Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer. With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day.

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