Product Manager

Recognized as aMilwaukee Journal SentinelTop Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We're committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.

A Product Manager is responsible for managing the profitability and development of assigned commercial insurance lines. This role involves conducting market research, supporting product innovation, collaborating on rate and form changes, and providing technical training and underwriting guidance. The position also supports digital system development, reinsurance updates, and strategic initiatives aligned with enterprise goals, while serving as a key resource and leader within the team. This is great way to use Commercial Underwriting knowledge in a different way!

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. Candidates who are located within 50 miles of a West Bend office location will work a hybrid schedule for collaboration days, team meetings or other in-person events. The position can be based in West Bend, Madison or Appleton.

The internal deadline to apply is 8/8/25. External applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while the position remains open.

Monitor, evaluate and report on assigned line of business for profitability.
• Oversee and support other lines of business as required.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis.
• Develop and introduce new or enhanced insurance products for assigned lines of business.
• Collaborate with other areas on proposed bureau changes and annual rate review.
• Research and develop new forms, proposed form changes and draft manuscript endorsements when required. Provide support and technical training to underwriters and manager/supervisors for new and existing products or forms.
• Maintain agents' manuals and internal commercial enterprise reference manuals.
• Provide underwriting requirements for development of on-line based rating and application submission systems.
• Assist with reinsurance questions and implementation of changes due to revisions in reinsurance contracts.
• Collaborate with other areas in the assessment of training needs at a team level and research and prepare technical articles and training materials.
• Work with a greater degree of independence and assist or lead in other departmental projects. Lead and mentor lower-level product specialists.
• Maintains and leverages strong relationships at various levels of organization. Handles special project work as assigned.
• Provide input & guidance on the use of analytics within Commercial Enterprise.
• Works closely with Commercial Enterprise Leadership to ensure profit and growth objectives align with Commercial Enterprise goals and strategies.
• Engage with others to learn and understand industry trends and their effect on underwriting, claims, loss control and other areas of organization to make recommendations to Commercial Enterprise Leadership.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• 6 years of experience in commercial multi-line underwriting
• 3 years of experience in product management
• Leadership skills, with the ability to coach, mentor and develop others.
• Oral & written communication skills
• Analytical and communication skills
• Project management skills
• Organization and time management skills

Preferred Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in business, insurance, or related field
• Completion of Associate in Underwriting program and CPCU designation

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:

• Medical & Prescription Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Short and Long Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life and Accidental Death & Disability

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match

• Pet Insurance

• Paid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro-rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates

• Bonus eligible based on performance

• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.

West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.

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