Product Managers plan, develop, and direct the marketing efforts for a particular brand or product. It is not uncommon for a brand manager to be responsible for coordinating activities of specialists in production, sales, advertising, promotion, research and development, marketing research, purchasing, distribution, package development, and finance.

The Life of a Product Manager

Product managers often work over forty-hour weeks, including evenings and weekends. There is a great deal of pressure connected with this job due to numerous deadlines, schedule changes, and regular meetings with other managers. Many product managers must travel frequently throughout the United States and abroad to meet with their clients.

Education and Training

Product Managers typically require you to have a Bachelors degree in Marketing, Advertising or in a related field.  Some employers prefer a broad liberal arts background, while others want managers with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in business administration.

Recommended courses include marketing, communications, technical writing, economics, statistics, business law, advertising, market research, and management. Knowledge of business software such as Microsoft Excel is essential, and completion of a marketing or product development internship while in school is highly recommended.

Common traits of Product Managers include them being results oriented and creative, possess strong interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills.

Typical salaries for Product Managers can range between $65,000 and $95,000 per year.

Salaries for Product Managers vary greatly, depending on education, level of responsibility, experience, and the employer's size, location, and industry.

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