Product Manager

About us

At APD, we don’t just manufacture tanks; we are shaping a better future through innovative, sustainable water and systems solutions. As a proudly New Zealand-owned leader in thermoplastic fabrication and rotational moulding, our purpose is simple: Doing Good from the Ground Up.

We are a fast-growing, medium-sized manufacturer specializing in products that protect the environment while prioritizing easy installation. We are known as solution providers designing and engineering products that meet exact customer requirements, saving time and avoiding problems on-site. Our continued growth is driven by our passion for expanding our product range and the diverse markets we serve.

About the role

As the Product Manager at APD, you will be the strategic architect, commercial owner, and technical custodian of our core Drainage product category. Sitting at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and sales, you will manage drainage products—from Stormwater and wastewater management to water use and pumping solutions.

Your mission is to maximise the lifecycle value of our existing range and maximise market penetration and market share. Based at our manufacturing facility, you will bridge the gap between production reality and market demand, ensuring APD remains the “Gold Standard” in New Zealand Stormwater and Wastewater management solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Roadmap Leadership: developing and maintaining a multi-year product roadmap that aligns with company growth objectives and identifies adjacent market opportunities.
• Portfolio Stewardship: managing the entire lifecycle of core product categories—from conceptual design and new product development (NPD) to ongoing optimisation or retirement.
• Market Alignment: ensuring products are strategically aligned with market demands, specifically addressing the infrastructure and residential water management needs of New Zealand.
• Commercial Ownership: owning the commercial performance of the product suite and acting as the strategic architect of the drainage portfolio.
• Margin Protection: defining baseline profitability frameworks and setting pricing models that protect manufacturing margins despite raw material or cost fluctuations.
• Value Maximisation: maximising the lifecycle value of existing products while ensuring new launches achieve defined margin and volume targets
• Sales Enablement: translating technical features into compelling value propositions and providing the sales team with technical subject matter expertise and “spec-in” tools
• Stakeholder Integration: Bridging the gap between R&D, operations, sales, and external stakeholders like councils and specifiers to ensure products are successfully adopted by the market

What will you bring:

• 5+ years’ experience in Product Management, ideally within manufacturing, plastic fabrication (HDPE/PP), or the NZ building/construction sector.
• B2B expertise with a proven track record of managing long-cycle sales processes and complex stakeholder environments (e.g., councils, Tier 1 contractors).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil or Mechanical), Business, or a related technical discipline.
• Analytical rigor and a proficiency in using ERP/CRM data to drive product decisions and financial forecasting

Why Choose APD?

Where Your Hard Work Meets High Reward.

We know it’s the ‘small stuff’ that makes a big difference. From free GP visits and fresh fruit to choosing your own perks – like birthday leave, wellbeing allowance or extra KiwiSaver – we’ve designed a workplace that actually looks after you. Join a proud NZ-owned leader where you get the stability of a market frontrunner with the heart of a team that celebrates milestones with monthly lunch shouts and regular team-building.

Join APD, and turn Doing Good into your daily job.