Director of Product Functional Training (61481)

At Core Health & Fitness, our purpose is to live and share our passion for fitness. We bring innovative health and fitness solutions to the global market with brands like StairMaster, Schwinn, Nautilus, Star Trac, Throwdown, Wexer, Gym Rax, Core Fit Collective and we’re still growing. We press into the future of fitness to ensure the creation of quality products and programming that meet the needs of an ever-evolving industry.

At Core we are committed to building an energetic, diverse, and inclusive workspace. We value our differences and see community strength in diversity and representation. We’re always on the lookout for innovators, dreamers and doers who are passionate about fitness and wellbeing. We explore all opportunities to improve ourselves, our business partners, and our community. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career in helping people, find the best version of themselves, you’ve come to the right place.

We are looking for a Director of Product - Functional Training join our growing organization!

Position Summary

The Director of Product - Functional Training leads the strategy, development, commercialization and lifecycle management of Core Health & Fitness's Throwdown and Gym Rax product portfolios. The role owns product and portfolio strategy, translates customer and market needs into commercially viable opportunities, and leads cross-functional execution from concept through end of life. The Director is accountable for portfolio growth, profitability, competitive position and product performance while partnering with Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Service and global manufacturing partners.

Essential Responsibilities

• Own the product strategy and multi-year roadmap for the Throwdown and Gym Rax portfolios, including new products, platform expansions, upgrades, accessories, refreshes, consolidation, and end-of-life decisions.
• Own portfolio performance, including revenue, gross margin, pricing, product mix, competitive position, and lifecycle health; identify actions to improve growth and profitability.
• Maintain direct engagement with customers, dealers, Sales, Service, trainers, and industry partners to identify unmet needs, validate opportunities, and translate market insights into product requirements and business cases.
• Monitor competitive products, pricing, market trends, and emerging training formats to identify portfolio gaps, growth opportunities, and competitive threats.
• Develop product requirements and business cases using customer value, forecast volume, target pricing, product cost, gross margin, development investment, and expected return to recommend product investments and priorities.
• Partner with Engineering, Industrial Design, Sourcing, Quality, and global manufacturing partners to establish specifications, evaluate concepts and suppliers, review prototypes, validate performance, and manage quality, cost, and schedule.
• Lead product development from concept through commercialization, managing milestones, testing, validation, launch readiness, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Identify and lead cost reduction, sourcing, and value-engineering opportunities that improve product profitability while maintaining performance, quality, and customer value.
• Lead product commercialization with Sales, Marketing, and Education, including positioning, sales tools, product information, demonstrations, training, launch planning, and field feedback.
• Monitor post-launch performance and manage the product lifecycle, using sales, margin, warranty, quality, service, and customer feedback to prioritize corrective actions, continuous improvements, refreshes, and end-of-life decisions.
• Support key customer presentations, trade shows and selected field visits as the Functional Training product expert.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, product development, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in product management, product development, or a related physical-product role; commercial fitness, strength equipment, sporting goods, or durable goods experience preferred.
• Experience managing physical products through the full lifecycle, from market needs and requirements through development, launch, and post-launch management.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including product cost, pricing, gross margin, forecasting, and business case development.
• Strong technical aptitude with an understanding of engineering, manufacturing, product testing, and quality.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Ability to travel approximately 30% to 40%, including international travel when required.

Core Competencies

• Portfolio Strategy: Translates customer needs, market trends, and company strategy into clear product priorities and a multi-year roadmap.
• Commercial Judgment: Balances customer value, competitive position, quality, cost, margin, and timing to make sound product decisions.
• Customer & Product Knowledge: Understands customer operations, equipment use, competitive offerings, and the needs of strength and functional training environments.
• Execution and accountability: Drives decisions, manages milestones and follows issues through resolution.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Builds alignment and drives execution across Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Service, and external partners.
• Innovation & Problem Solving: Identifies meaningful product opportunities and uses data and root-cause thinking to solve product and quality issues.

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in an office setting with regular interaction with internal and external partners, and may include visits to customers, trade shows and manufacturing sites. The role may require standing, walking, bending, reaching and occasionally lifting or carrying items up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

Position Status

Level:                    Manager

FLSA:                    Exempt 

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the employee might differ from those outlined in the above job description and, other duties as assigned, might be part of the role. It does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned nor is it considered a contract of employment overriding at-will employment.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Core Health& Fitness is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, disabled veteran status, marital status, or Vietnam-era veteran status. If you are a person with a disability and you need assistance in applying for a position with Core Health & Fitness, please contact our Human Resources department at [email protected] and direct assistance will be provided.