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DIRECTOR, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Cellares • South San Francisco, CA 94080 • Posted today

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In-person • Full-time • $200,000-$280,000/yr • Senior Manager

Job Highlights

Using AI ⚡ to summarize the original job post

Cellares is seeking a hands-on Director of Product Management to lead the product lifecycle, collaborate with leadership, and create a portfolio of groundbreaking products. This role involves strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and effective communication across all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, be comfortable with a lean team structure, and have a strong analytical and creative mindset.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary product owner, directly managing all aspects of the product lifecycle
  • Actively participate in day-to-day product development activities, from ideation to launch
  • Take on various tasks as needed, given the lean team structure
  • Present product strategies, roadmaps, and progress updates to senior leadership
  • Collaborate with the Senior VP of R&D and other executives to align product direction with overall company strategy
  • Articulate complex technical and market concepts clearly to diverse audiences
  • Analyze the Cell and Gene Therapy marketplace to identify trends, opportunities, and unmet needs
  • Gather insights from clients and assess competitors to inform product direction
  • Translate market needs into clear product requirements and use cases
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of target users' needs and usage profiles
  • Prioritize solutions that address critical user pain points and drive value
  • Conduct user interviews and synthesize feedback to inform product decisions
  • Develop and implement product roadmaps that balance short-term customer needs with long-term scalable technology development
  • Maximize portfolio potential through strategic prioritization
  • Personally manage and update roadmaps as market conditions evolve
  • Partner closely with engineering and process sciences teams to scope product delivery
  • Work directly with marketing to create compelling go-to-market strategies and product positioning
  • Facilitate cross-functional meetings and drive decision-making processes
  • Monitor product progress throughout the development lifecycle
  • Identify and mitigate risks while capitalizing on emerging opportunities
  • Step in and address issues hands-on when necessary

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Engineering, Life Sciences)
  • 10+ years of experience in business strategy or product strategy roles
  • Substantial customer-facing experience
  • Proven track record of successfully setting product vision and defining products
  • Leadership experience in at least one successful new product development initiative from conception to launch
  • Strong analytical skills combined with creative intuition
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills
  • Experience presenting complex technical and market concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams and leadership
  • Capability to participate in client meetings as a product expert
  • Experience with full project ownership and hands-on execution of product management tasks
  • Comfortable working in a lean team environment

Preferred

  • Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or Ph.D.) in a relevant field
  • Experience in the cell and gene therapy industry
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements in the medical device or biotechnology sectors
  • Experience leading small, agile teams in a startup environment
  • Track record of successful collaboration with C-level executives and board members

Full Job Description

South San Francisco, CAProduct Management – Product Management /Full Time /On-siteWe are seeking a hands-on Director of Product Management to join our dynamic team. This key leadership role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of R&D and will be pivotal in shaping the future of cell therapy manufacturing by collaborating with leadership and cross-functional partners to create a portfolio of groundbreaking products that drive Cellares' growth and impact.The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who is also ready to roll up their sleeves and execute. With a small, agile team, this role requires someone who can seamlessly transition between high-level strategy and detailed, hands-on work. The ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership and across all levels of the organization is crucial for success in this position. We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, is comfortable wearing multiple hats, and is ready to tackle diverse challenges as our company grows.ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary product owner, directly managing all aspects of the product lifecycleActively participate in day-to-day product development activities, from ideation to launchBe prepared to take on various tasks as needed, given the lean team structureRegularly present product strategies, roadmaps, and progress updates to senior leadershipCollaborate effectively with the Senior VP of R&D and other executives to align product direction with overall company strategyArticulate complex technical and market concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholdersAnalyze the Cell and Gene Therapy marketplace to identify trends, opportunities, and unmet needsGather insights from clients and assess competitors to inform product directionTranslate market needs into clear product requirements and use casesDevelop an in-depth understanding of target users' needs and usage profilesPrioritize solutions that address critical user pain points and drive valueConduct user interviews and synthesize feedback to inform product decisionsDevelop and implement product roadmaps that balance short-term customer needs with long-term scalable technology developmentMaximize portfolio potential through strategic prioritizationPersonally manage and update roadmaps as market conditions evolvePartner closely with engineering and process sciences teams to scope product delivery, evaluate development alternatives, and support build/buy decisionsWork directly with marketing to create compelling go-to-market strategies and product positioningFacilitate cross-functional meetings and drive decision-making processesActively monitor product progress throughout the development lifecycleIdentify and mitigate risks while capitalizing on emerging opportunitiesBe prepared to step in and address issues hands-on when necessaryRequirementsBachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Engineering, Life Sciences)10+ years of experience in business strategy or product strategy roles, with substantial customer-facing experienceProven track record of successfully setting product vision and defining products, including target customer identification, core value proposition articulation, and business model developmentLeadership experience in at least one successful new product development initiative from conception to launchStrong analytical skills combined with creative intuition, enabling data-driven and insight-driven strategy developmentExcellent presentation and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior leadership and diverse stakeholdersExperience presenting complex technical and market concepts to both technical and non-technical audiencesDemonstrated ability to collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams and leadershipCapability to participate in client meetings as a product expertPrior experience with full project ownership and hands-on execution of product management tasksComfortable working in a lean team environment and taking on diverse sets of responsibilitiesPassion for innovation in the life sciences and healthcare industriesPreferred QualificationsAdvanced degree (MBA, MS, or Ph.D.) in a relevant fieldExperience in the cell and gene therapy industryFamiliarity with regulatory requirements in the medical device or biotechnology sectorsExperiencer leading small, agile teams in a startup environmentTrack record of successful collaboration with C-level executives and board members$200,000 - $280,000 a yearCellares total compensation package contains competitive base salaries, highly subsidized Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, 401(k) Matching, Free EV Charging, Onsite lunches, and Stock options. All displayed pay ranges are approximate, negotiable, and location dependent.This is CellaresCellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The company’s Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares’ Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand.The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing.Leveling will be based on overall experience, education, and demonstration of knowledge throughout the interview process.