Director of Product Development; Commercial & Partnerships

Our client – Morningstar Corporation – is seeking a Director of Product Management, with a focus on hardware product management experience .

Morningstar Corporation is a leading manufacturer of reliable, high-performance renewable energy control and power conversion products. Our team is dedicated to innovation, quality, and delivering practical solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners worldwide.

As the Director of Product Management, you will lead the commercial strategy for Morningstar's core components and systems businesses. This role combines strategic product lifecycle management with the development of key commercial partnerships. You will drive new product launches, maximize the profitability of our industrial off-grid solar portfolio, and execute strategic outsourcing initiatives. Initially acting as a key individual contributor, you will define our operational foundation and eventually scale and mentor a team to support our long-term goals.

• Drive the successful commercial launch of our integrated industrial power product lines.
• Develop and refine pricing strategy and positioning across both wholesale distribution and e-commerce channels.
• Define clear commercial metrics for success and ensure rapid time-to-revenue.
• Own the roadmap and profitability of our established components business.
• Guide and prioritize new R&D investments to maintain competitiveness.
• Identify outsource and white-label opportunities to fill gaps.
• Implement pricing and margin restructuring strategies to defend against aggressive market competitors while protecting our bottom line.

• Act as the primary commercial leader responsible for identifying, vetting, and managing external partners.
• Assess and execute strategic outsourcing initiatives.
• Translate complex technical requirements into commercial Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and vendor contracts.
• Able to travel as needed to meet with existing or potential partners and suppliers.
• Operate as a hands-on, Individual Contributor.
• Define the operational cadence for the department function.
• Scope, hire, and mentor to scale the team's execution capabilities.

• Serve as the connective link between Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Executive Leadership.
• Build alignment around product strategy, priorities, launch plans, and customer needs.
• Ensure customer, market, and commercial insights are incorporated into product decisions.
• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and shared accountability across teams.
• Lead product reviews and planning processes that create clarity and organizational alignment.

• Time-to-revenue for new product launches
• Portfolio profitability and margin expansion
• Strategic partnership ROI

Position must be commutable to our Jessup MD location. There is work from home flexibility, however on-site work is expected to be a minimum of 3 days a week and as needed (based on departmental needs). There will also be o ccasional travel as needed to meet with existing or potential partners and suppliers.

$160,000 to $180,000, based on experience.

• Commercial Product Pedigree: 7–10+ years of hardware product management experience, with a heavy emphasis on commercial strategy, go-to-market execution, and partner management.
• Technical Foundation: A Bachelor's degree in engineering, software, systems & controls, or a closely related technical field. Able to engage confidently in technical discussions with engineers, customers, and partners while translating complex concepts into clear business value, market positioning, and commercial strategy.
• Vendor & Partner Management: Proven track record of sourcing and managing contract manufacturers (CMs), Joint Design Manufacturers (JDMs), or white-label partners, ideally with experience in Asian supply chains.
• Business Acumen: Deep understanding of P&L management, margin optimization, and financial modeling (NPV, ROI) for power conversion products and systems. An MBA is preferred, but not a requisite.
• Domain…