Director of Product

Purple Wave is the industry leader in online auctions for used equipment, built on a no‑reserve model that delivers transparency, urgency, and real market value for every transaction. With expanding territories, increasing demand, and continuous innovation, we’re not just growing—we’re accelerating! As Director of Product, you'll lead the team responsible for how thousands of buyers and sellers experience our marketplace—from listing and bidding to payment and logistics—to how our team members use our systems.

What to Expect

• You’ll join a team that needs strategic direction and process maturity—not a turnaround situation, but a growth opportunity.
• You’ll balance hands‑on contribution with building team capabilities; the goal is to make yourself less essential over time.
• You’ll need to build relationships quickly across the business—this role only works with strong stakeholder trust.
• Expect ambiguity. We’re evolving our platform and figuring out what’s next and you’ll help shape that.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Product Owners and Designers, fostering a culture of ownership, learning, and collaboration.
• Mentor team members through coaching, regular one‑on‑ones, and hands‑on guidance during complex initiatives.
• Conduct performance reviews, support professional growth, and address concerns directly.
• Participate in hiring efforts—conducting interviews, evaluating candidates, and onboarding new team members.
• Build and refine team processes, including training materials and workflows that improve how the team operates.

Product Strategy And Roadmap

• Develop and communicate a clear product vision and strategy aligned with business goals.
• Own the product roadmap, ensuring priorities are well‑defined, sequenced, and understood across the organization.
• Identify opportunities for product differentiation and growth.
• Evaluate emerging technologies—including AI—for practical application, not hype.

Product Development And Execution

• Together with our technology team, own the end‑to‑end product development process, from discovery through launch.
• Ensure the team is conducting solid discovery work: user research, competitive analysis, and data analysis.
• Work with Product Owners to refine backlogs and prioritize based on value, feasibility, and strategic fit.
• Define and track product metrics and KPIs; use data to drive iteration and improvement.
• Step in as acting Product Owner during transitions or high‑priority initiatives when needed.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with executives, department leaders, customers, and partners.
• Present product updates, roadmaps, and strategic initiatives to internal and external audiences.
• Translate business needs into product requirements and push back constructively when requests don’t align with strategy.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of product experience, with at least 3 years of director‑level experience.
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and experience working in Scrum environments.
• Demonstrated ability to set product strategy and translate it into executable roadmaps.
• Demonstrated track record of influencing without authority and building alignment across technical and non‑technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills—able to present to executives, collaborate with engineers, and coach junior team members.
• Strong analytical skills; comfortable using data to inform decisions.
• Experience in marketplaces, e‑commerce, or B2B platforms is a plus.
• Willingness to stay hands‑on; this isn’t a pure strategy role.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must be able to satisfactorily complete a background check.

Working Settings

• Full‑time Salaried Exempt, not eligible for overtime.
• Office hours are 8 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday; additional hours may be required depending on priorities.
• Based in the Purple Wave headquarters in Manhattan, KS.
• Expected to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access various departments of a given location.

Compensation

• The salary ranges from $120,000 to $170,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Annual bonus plan—determined by the Company’s annual targeted results and paid on a “percent‑to‑plan” payout formula.
• Monthly phone stipend in accordance with the Company’s cell phone policy, currently $120/month.
• Health, Dental, and Vision benefits start the first of the month after the start date.
• 401(k) plan with an employer match up to 4% starting the first day of employment.
• Company‑paid life insurance benefit of $25,000 with options to add more through employee contribution starting the first of the month after the start date.
• Fully paid short‑term disability provided by the Company.
• Paid time off (PTO) is 120 hours annually, prorated based on the number of days between the 60th day of employment and the end of the calendar year. May vary to comply with state requirements.
• Eligible to participate in the Company Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after 90 days of employment, with enrollment opportunities each May and November.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity is a Purple Wave, Inc. policy. It is our practice to select the best‑qualified candidate for each position in the organization. No employee of the Company will discriminate against an applicant for employment or a fellow employee because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, or other physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.

Notice of Background Check

As a condition of your employment, you will be required to sign the Company’s Authorization for Background Check and to provide the Company with documents establishing your identity and right to work in the United States.

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