Job Description

About Us:

We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy.

The Director, Product Management – Advanced Materials and Solutions (“AMS”) is a senior business leadership role responsible for defining and driving the end ‑to ‑end product and portfolio strategy for AMS’s global Piezo, Sensors, Switches & Controls, and Passives product lines. This role is accountable for translating AMS strategy into clear market choices, product roadmaps, and commercial actions that deliver profitable growth, improved margin performance, and sustained competitive advantage.

As a member of the AMS Leadership Team and a direct report to the AMS business leader, this role serves as the voice of the market and the customer, ensuring product decisions are grounded in application insight, competitive intelligence, and portfolio economics. The Director is expected to operate with a general management mindset—balancing strategy, execution, customer engagement, pricing, and financial performance—while building stronger product management capability across AMS.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Product Strategy

• Define and lead the global product portfolio strategy across Piezo, Sensors, Systems & Controls, and Passives in alignment with AMS strategic and financial objectives.
• Establish clear where ‑to ‑play and how ‑to ‑win choices by segment, application, region, and customer.
• Recommend portfolio actions including investment, acceleration, localization, rationalization, partnerships, acquisitions, or exits based on market attractiveness, competitive position, and return on investment.

Market & Competitive Leadership

• Build deep understanding of end markets, customer applications, buying criteria, technology trends, and competitor strategies.
• Lead disciplines such as voice of customer, market segmentation, win/loss analysis, and competitive intelligence to shape portfolio and roadmap priorities.
• Ensure AMS products deliver differentiated customer value and clear competitive advantage.

Product Lifecycle & Innovation

• Own end ‑to ‑end product lifecycle management from concept through launch, scale, refresh, and retirement.
• Prioritize development resources toward the highest ‑value opportunities and ensure disciplined business case justification for new product initiatives.
• Drive faster time ‑to ‑market and increased focus through portfolio simplification and roadmap prioritization.

Commercial Execution & Pricing

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to define value propositions, positioning, pricing strategies, and go ‑to ‑market plans.
• Enable sales teams with product training, application messaging, and commercial tools that improve pipeline quality and win rates.
• Engage directly with key customers and strategic accounts as a senior product authority.

Financial Performance & Planning

• Own portfolio ‑level performance including revenue growth, margin expansion, product mix, and pricing effectiveness.
• Lead annual and long ‑range portfolio planning in partnership with Finance and Operations.
• Identify and execute opportunities for margin improvement, complexity reduction, and cost ‑productivity.

Cross ‑Functional Leadership & Governance

• Serve as the integrator across Engineering, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Marketing to ensure aligned execution.
• Establish strong portfolio governance, prioritization, and decision ‑making processes.
• Provide clear product and portfolio leadership input as a member of the AMS Leadership Team.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a high ‑performing global product management team.
• Increase the maturity and effectiveness of product management capabilities, tools, and operating rhythms across AMS.
• Model leadership behaviors aligned with CTS values and business expectations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate product strategy into measurable financial performance and growth outcomes.
• Proven capability to develop and execute portfolio strategies in complex, global, and highly competitive markets.
• Deep understanding of product portfolio management, including segmentation, prioritization, and lifecycle optimization.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to interpret engineering concepts and translate them into compelling customer value propositions.
• Working knowledge of relevant markets, applications, and technologies across AMS product domains.
• Expertise in pricing strategy, margin management, and value-based commercial positioning.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence customers at multiple levels, including senior decision-makers.
• Proven leadership in driving alignment and execution across global, cross-functional teams within a matrix organization.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to lead without direct authority and drive timely decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, prioritize effectively, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability to guide strategy and performance improvement.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise executive messaging.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required.
• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in product management, engineering, or commercial leadership roles.
• 5+ years of leadership experience, including managing teams and/or leading global cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated success owning or influencing P&L responsibility for a product line or business segment.
• Experience managing complex, multi-product portfolios in industrial, electronics, medical, or aerospace and defense markets.
• Proven track record of driving profitable growth and new product innovation.
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
• Strong familiarity with stage-gate/NPD processes and product lifecycle management.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree.
• Experience in high-reliability or regulated markets (automotive, industrial, medical, aerospace).
• Exposure to platform-based product strategy and modular design approaches.
• Experience in M&A integration, portfolio rationalization, or transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in digital/product data tools (PLM, CRM, analytics platforms).

Join Us

At CTS, one of the ways we recognize the value of our employees is through our comprehensive benefits program. Highlights of our benefits program for full-time employees include:

• Health Benefits
• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

The expected annual salary range for this position is $190K-220K.

This position is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. CTS considers a variety of factors when setting base salary rates including, without limitation, a candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Ready to shape the future? Apply now to join a world leader in sensing and connectivity.

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630.577.8811. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

No agencies, please. We do not accept any unsolicited resumes and are not looking to engage an agency. We receive inquiries from agencies daily. Do not direct any inquiries or emails to hiring managers. It is not our standard practice to utilize agencies; we are a federal contractor and need to comply with the same process for all.

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