Associate Product Manager (6605)
Summary
Flinn Scientific is hiring an Associate Product Manager in Batavia, IL to support the product management team across the full product lifecycle — conducting market research, defining requirements, and coordinating go-to-market efforts. The role is highly cross-functional, working daily with engineering, design, marketing, and sales.
BIG PICTURE VIEW
At Flinn Scientific, we don’t just support science education - we ignite it.
We’ve spent decades equipping teachers and inspiring students by making science engaging, safe, and accessible. Our culture is built on the Flinn Formula: a shared commitment to curiosity, bold action, and advocacy. We think like scientists, grow like students, act like entrepreneurs, and advocate like true partners.
As a Product Associate, you’ll play an essential role in driving product development and operational excellence. This is a hands-on, collaborative position that requires a high level of visibility, communication, and cross-functional engagement. While some flexibility exists, the nature of the work often demands in-person presence and timely coordination with teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and product management.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY
Key Responsibilities
- Own day-to-day product support execution for assigned WLK and bulk material initiatives, ensuring workstreams move forward with quality, speed, and alignment across stakeholders.
- Lead sample evaluation and product matching workflows for new and existing items, including coordinating testing, documenting outcomes, and recommending next steps to product management.
- Serve as the primary steward of bill of materials and packing list accuracy for assigned products. Maintaining version control, auditing for completeness, and driving timely updates across systems and partners.
- Drive cross-functional alignment with Manufacturing to keep instructions, labels, and bulk item specifications accurate and execution-ready; identify gaps, resolve discrepancies, and ensure readiness for production use.
- Own substitute evaluation and compatibility validation in partnership with Global Supply Chain, including defining testing requirements, verifying use-case fit, documenting approvals/constraints, and supporting WLK partner implementation.
- Manage documentation and change coordination for product enhancements and continuous improvement efforts such as: capturing requirements, updating records, and ensuring changes are communicated and adopted by impacted teams.
- Proactively monitor timelines and dependencies across product development and operational tasks; surface risks early, propose mitigation options, and escalate decisions when needed.
- Provide cross-departmental support as a point of coordination to ensure timely execution, facilitating handoffs, clarifying ownership, and keeping work moving through ambiguity.
- Contribute to broader team priorities by supporting initiatives that improve product quality, operational consistency, and scalability across the WLK program.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM
- A service-oriented mindset with professionalism, urgency, and strong follow-through
- Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills
- Comfort working independently while collaborating effectively across teams
- Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills
- High level of discretion and professionalism regarding new product launches and internal strategies
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT AND WHAT MATTERS TO YOU
You are someone who:
- Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Maintains quality and attention to detail while working toward deadlines
- Adapts quickly to new systems, workflows, and business needs
- Identifies and shares ideas for process improvement
- Follows through consistently on commitments
- Values mission-driven work that supports educators and students