What Do Associate Product Managers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for associate product managers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what associate product managers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Associate Product Managers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about associate product managers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Associate Product Managers plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Popular Job Titles For Associate Product Managers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Product Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Directors of Marketing
- Product Marketing Managers
- Digital Marketing Managers
- Directors of Product Management
- Technical Product Managers
- Digital Product Managers
- Marketing Directors
- Brand Managers
- Principal Product Managers
- Marketing Product Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for associate product managers can be found.
Best Industries for Associate Product Managers
Associate Product Managers Jobs By Industry
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 12.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 8.5%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 7.2%
- Software Publishers: 3.5%
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services: 3.4%
- Insurance Carriers: 2.8%
- Other: 62.5%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of associate product managers can be found working in the Management of Companies and Enterprises sector. In 2023, about 12.1% of all jobs for associate product managers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (8.5%), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (7.2%), Software Publishers (3.5%), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (3.4%) and Insurance Carriers (2.8%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Associate Product Managers
Take a strategic approach to promoting products, services, and new ideas by leveraging consumer research and effective planning.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
The B.S. in Sport Management major provides big-league career opportunities for sports-minded individuals with a head for business. You’ll learn how essential business concepts translate to the sports industry and open the door to a variety of roles.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Expand your leadership capabilities to change the business of doing business.
- Years To Complete: 3
Stand out with a specialized master’s degree focused entirely on strategically integrating marketing and communication.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Drive strategic promotional efforts that leverage emerging media by building your familiarity with digital marketing tools, marketing communication strategies and analytics as part of Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Marketing.
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Associate Product Managers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what associate product managers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work associate product managers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that associate product managers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for associate product managers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Associate Product Managers
Based on 259,516 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Associate Product Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 164,477 | 63% |
| Product Management | 95,169 | 37% |
| Project Management | 70,773 | 27% |
| New Product Development | 66,062 | 25% |
| Marketing Strategies | 41,797 | 16% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Associate Product Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 147,714 | 57% |
| Sales | 115,727 | 45% |
| Leadership | 104,488 | 40% |
| Management | 99,334 | 38% |
| Planning | 67,241 | 26% |
Based on 259,516 job postings related to associate product managers, marketing was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 63% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for product management, project management, new product development, marketing strategies and key performance indicators (kpis) were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for associate product managers, followed by sales, leadership, management, planning and innovation.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 164,477 | 63% |
| Product Management | 95,169 | 37% |
| Project Management | 70,773 | 27% |
| New Product Development | 66,062 | 25% |
| Marketing Strategies | 41,797 | 16% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 39,458 | 15% |
| Marketing Management | 36,788 | 14% |
| Go-to-Market Strategy | 33,556 | 13% |
| Digital Marketing | 32,760 | 13% |
| Product Marketing | 31,618 | 12% |
| Product Strategy | 31,171 | 12% |
| Agile Methodology | 30,425 | 12% |
| Product Roadmaps | 29,856 | 12% |
| Market Research | 28,527 | 11% |
| Social Media | 27,719 | 11% |
| Finance | 27,279 | 11% |
| Analytics | 27,068 | 10% |
| Data Analysis | 25,529 | 10% |
| Business To Business | 23,811 | 9% |
| Customer Relationship Management | 22,656 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 147,714 | 57% |
| Sales | 115,727 | 45% |
| Leadership | 104,488 | 40% |
| Management | 99,334 | 38% |
| Planning | 67,241 | 26% |
| Innovation | 57,436 | 22% |
| Presentations | 56,798 | 22% |
| Customer Service | 56,543 | 22% |
| Operations | 55,248 | 21% |
| Research | 53,127 | 20% |
| Problem Solving | 52,469 | 20% |
| Influencing Skills | 50,297 | 19% |
| Writing | 48,865 | 19% |
| Detail Oriented | 47,259 | 18% |
| Prioritization | 39,294 | 15% |
| Self-Motivation | 36,930 | 14% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 33,425 | 13% |
| Microsoft Excel | 31,222 | 12% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 30,590 | 12% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 28,849 | 11% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Associate Product Managers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Product Managers | 49,079 | 26.2% |
| Marketing Managers | 35,293 | 18.9% |
| Directors of Marketing | 11,700 | 6.3% |
| Product Marketing Managers | 9,236 | 4.9% |
| Digital Marketing Managers | 9,758 | 5.2% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was product managers, with 22,558 unique job postings. Marketing managers were second, with 4,972 postings, followed by directors of marketing, product marketing managers and digital marketing managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to associate product managers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Product Managers | 49,079 | 26.2% |
| Marketing Managers | 35,293 | 18.9% |
| Directors of Marketing | 11,700 | 6.3% |
| Product Marketing Managers | 9,236 | 4.9% |
| Digital Marketing Managers | 9,758 | 5.2% |
| Directors of Product Management | 7,840 | 4.2% |
| Technical Product Managers | 7,645 | 4.1% |
| Digital Product Managers | 6,908 | 3.7% |
| Marketing Directors | 6,918 | 3.7% |
| Brand Managers | 5,939 | 3.2% |
| Principal Product Managers | 5,231 | 2.8% |
| Marketing Product Managers | 4,474 | 2.4% |
| Field Marketing Managers | 4,396 | 2.3% |
| Associate Product Managers | 5,033 | 2.7% |
| Vice Presidents of Marketing | 3,471 | 1.9% |
| Growth Marketing Managers | 3,102 | 1.7% |
| Directors of Product Marketing | 2,917 | 1.6% |
| Lead Product Managers | 3,087 | 1.6% |
| Platform Product Managers | 2,626 | 1.4% |
| Marketing Operations Managers | 2,454 | 1.3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for associate product managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for associate product managers.
How much do associate product managers make?
Associate Product Managers: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.