What Does a Product Coordinator Do?

Product coordinators put product ideas into action. Thoughtfully arranged and organised plans are typically successful when manufacturing and marketing a product. Product coordinators not only follow a product's road map but also create stopping points, prepare for problems, and develop a strategy for potential adjustments. These tasks require specific skills, knowledge, and forethought to predict what a production schedule will need based on factors ranging from customer demand to cost.  

Learn what a product coordinator is and explore day-to-day responsibilities in the role, such as the skills you’ll need to be successful and how to become a product coordinator. 

What is a product coordinator?

As a product coordinator, you will ensure that product development goals, milestones, budgets, and timelines are met and accurately executed according to the product manager's development plans. In this role, you may create, manage, and execute the lifecycle plan using project management software and tools for a product’s development and launch. You will collaborate with different teams, from manufacturing to marketing, to ensure timely and accurate development for product launches. You may also track project timeline progress and quality assurance while ensuring sufficient resources and employees are in place to support the plan. 

Product coordinator vs product manager 

The main difference between product coordinators and product managers is that a product coordinator executes product development steps and creates timelines to ensure the product development steps. In contrast, a product manager manages and oversees the planning process. You may see some similarities between the two roles despite their differences. A product coordinator may report to a product manager. 

Duties and responsibilities of a product coordinator 

Product coordinators must predict the needs of a product's inception and deployment based on market research, costs, industry trends, and more. In this role, you can play an integral role in ensuring a product reflects your company’s brand, meets the target consumer's needs and brings profitability to the company. Explore additional potential duties:

• Determine pricing for a product based on cost analysis and create pricing quotes based on research

• Review product design and suggest changes based on market research, competitors, and industry trends 

• Determine the best method to distribute a product and oversee the entire product launch process, including sample distribution

• Create and manage production timelines using project tracking software and communicate project deadlines with all involved parties 

• Ensure the product development process stays within the set project budget and make changes as needed

• Hold incremental meetings with involved parties and management to provide updates on project progress and communicate the project's status

• Organise and file documents critical for production, such as pricing estimates, purchase orders, invoices, and vendor/supplier contracts

• Create quality assurance checkpoints and alerts throughout the production timeline and report quality concerns to management 

Skills of a product coordinator 

Careers in product development and product management require managing products and people. A product's complete life cycle includes multiple touch points from various people with varying specialties. Product coordinators need to understand how to effectively communicate with all parties working on a product and devise a plan for developing and launching a product with a support system in place. 

Workplace skills

Since product coordinators work with so many different people during product development, empathy, compassion, and collaboration are essential personal skills. A teamwork mentality and positive attitude will help product coordinators motivate employees and keep everyone working together toward a common goal. Time management and the ability to multitask are also key product coordinator skills. 

Technical skills 

Knowledge of the complete product lifecycle is essential for product coordinator jobs. Product coordinators are experts in production management and will likely need technical skills like market research, data analysis, A/B testing, software development, prototyping, and database management. In this role, you'll typically need to use Agile methodology and product management software to ensure results are on target with customer expectations.

Working conditions and work environment 

The work environment for product coordinators can vary, but you’ll typically work for manufacturing, distribution, or related companies. Working conditions for product coordinators are usually indoors in an office setting. You may need to travel for product promotions, particularly with customers or media outlets. 

How to become a product coordinator 

To become a product coordinator, you’ll need to meet the education requirements and seek ways to set yourself apart through specialisations, certifications, or online courses demonstrating knowledge of essential product coordinator skills. Experience in business, management, or related fields can improve your employability at larger companies and may be beneficial for meeting your long-term career goals. Explore these qualifications further: 

Earn a bachelor’s degree. 

In some cases, a formal degree is not required, but it’s highly suggested if you want to pursue this profession long-term or advance to a management role like a product manager. Many product coordinators hold a degree in business administration, finance, or fields related to your industry. For example, you may prefer a bachelor’s degree in computer science if you coordinate products in a computer science industry.

Consider enrolling in specialised courses.

Since the educational requirements for this profession can vary, many prospective product coordinators enroll in specialised courses to learn the necessary skills. While no professional certifications are explicitly designed for product coordinators, project managers have many certifications. Product coordinators can earn certification in software systems, product management methodologies, or related professional skills. 

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers several levels of Agile certification that are ideal for product coordinators, including the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master, PMI Certified Agile Practitioner, and Disciplined Value Stream Agile Consultant Certification.  

• On Coursera, many certificate programmes specialise in specific project management tools and methods a product coordinator will likely use, such as Agile Project Management, Google Project Management, and DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations Specialisation. 

• APMG International provides training in Agile techniques and ways to manage the lifecycle of an Agile project through the Agile Project Manager (AgilePM) certification.  

Gain experience. 

Many product coordinators start in entry-level positions like sales associates, customer service reps, or administrative assistants. The goal is to earn experience that can build product coordinators' daily skills. Research skills and qualifications and gain professional experience that aligns with the needs of employers hiring product coordinators. Another common route for potential coordinators is a start in sales and marketing since most of their tasks are market research, cost analysis, and product launches in line with brand messaging. 

Apply for jobs. 

When you feel confident in your qualifications as a potential product coordinator, it’s time to research jobs and start the application process. Many employers are moving to Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to find the best applicant. You may find success uploading your resume to online job sites or professional social networks like LinkedIn. Make sure you optimise your resume with keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for. 

Prepare your product coordinator resume with essential product coordinator skills you hold, related achievements (certifications, accolades, etc.), relevant experience, and education. List your relevant experience first, and use action verbs throughout your resume to give employers a sense of what you’ve accomplished. 

Salary and career outlook 

The average monthly salary for a product coordinator working in India is ₹45,000 [1]. Expect factors like education, skill set, years of experience, location, the company, and certification to affect your earnings as a product coordinator.  

Product coordination falls under the greater industry of product management. Companies in India have embraced a product management structure built on rapid prototyping and cyclical work for a faster product built with continuous feedback. This feeds a demand for technical product managers and coordinators who deeply understand their product instead of solely relying on operational managers. Not only are product managers in demand for growing industries in India, but working in this field can also help you develop transferable skills that you can use in many different industries, like strategic thinking and business acumen. 

Learn more about product management

A product coordinator helps execute a product manager’s plan to design, create, and market a product. Learn in-demand skills for a career in product management and explore methodology used by top product coordinators. On Coursera, you can choose specific courses focusing on product coordinator skills that look great on product coordinator resumes. Courses like Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective teach the foundational elements of a product supply chain. 

If you already have some experience in product management or want to work in the tech industry, a course such as Real World Product Management would be an ideal way to learn new and innovative product management and coordination techniques. Enroll today, build your resume, and set your career goals.