What Does a Product Coordinator Do?

Product coordinators put product ideas into action. Thoughtfully arranged and organized plans are typically necessary for successfully manufacturing and marketing a product. Product coordinators follow the road map for a product and create stopping points, prepare for problems, and have 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 more about a product coordinator’s job duties, required skills, and salary prospects.

What is a product coordinator?

A product coordinator ensures that product development goals, milestones, budgets, and timelines are met and accurately executed according to the product manager's development plans. As a product coordinator, you will also conduct extensive preliminary research that product managers use to create plans. Your role as a product coordinator requires you to create, manage, and execute the lifecycle plan using project management software and tools for a product’s development and launch. This means collaborating with different teams, from manufacturing to marketing, to ensure timely and accurate development for product launches. You will also track progress on the project timeline and quality assurance while ensuring sufficient resources and employees are in place to support the plan. 

Product coordinator vs. project manager 

The main difference between product coordinators and project managers is that a product coordinator executes the steps of product development and creates timelines to ensure the product development steps. In contrast, a product manager manages and oversees the process. Some overlap may exist between these two professions. In most cases, a product coordinator reports to a product manager. 

Duties and responsibilities of a product coordinator 

You’ll need the ability to predict the needs of a product's inception and deployment based on market research, costs, industry trends, and more. In this position, you play an integral role in ensuring a product reflects the company’s brand, meets the target consumer's needs, and brings profitability to the company. You may also have the following duties.

• Review product designs 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. 

• Oversee the product’s shipments and deliveries and ensure they remain on schedule.

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

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

• Provide administrative support for a product launch

Skills of a product coordinator 

Careers in product development and product management require managing products and people. A project's life cycle includes multiple touchpoints 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 through the product development process, you should possess empathy, compassion, and the ability to collaborate. A teamwork mentality and positive attitude will help you motivate employees and keep everyone working together toward a common goal. You will also need good time management skills and the ability to multitask. 

Technical skills 

Knowledge of the complete product lifecycle is essential for product coordinator jobs. As a product coordinator, you will be an expert in production management and likely need technical skills such as market research, data analysis, A/B testing, software development, prototyping, and database management. 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. Some roles may require travel, particularly those with customers or media outlets for product promotions. 

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 specializations, product management 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. 

Hold a high school diploma.

A high school diploma is the base requirement to start as a product coordinator. Since the educational requirements differ across employers hiring product coordinators, getting hired with only your high school diploma may be possible. You’ll also need this academic credential to move on to obtain your bachelor’s degree if you choose to pursue that route. 

Earn a bachelor’s degree. 

You may only occasionally need a formal degree. Still, it’s highly suggested if you want to pursue this profession long-term or advance to a management role such as a product manager. Many product coordinators hold degrees in fields like business administration, engineering, or a related field.

Consider enroling in specialized courses.

Since the educational requirements vary, many prospective product coordinators enrol in specialized courses to learn the necessary skills to work in this profession. While you won’t find any professional certifications explicitly designed for product coordinators, product managers have many certifications that you can use to help advance your skill set, too. 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 ideal for product coordinators, including Disciplined Agile Scrum Master, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, and Disciplined Agile Value Stream Consultant Certification.

• On Coursera, many certificate programs specialize in specific project management tools and methods a product coordinator will likely use, such as Agile Project Management, the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate, and the DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations Specialization. 

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

Gain experience. 

Many product coordinators start in entry-level positions, such as 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 who are hiring product coordinators. Another common route for potential coordinators is a start in sales and marketing since many tasks focus on 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 such as LinkedIn. Optimize 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 an idea of your skills and qualifications. 

Salary and career outlook 

The average annual salary for a product coordinator working in Canada is $59,343 CAD a year, according to Indeed’s October 2024 data [1]. While the average provides a reasonable baseline you can use to measure your potential earnings, expect factors such as education, skill set, years of experience, location, the company, and certification to affect how much you will make as a product coordinator.

The Government of Canada Job Bank expects a balanced supply and demand of jobs in the product management field between 2022 and 2031 [2]. Additionally, the continual rise of digital media has impacted the demand for product coordinators and product managers. Companies need positions like these to launch effective marketing campaigns and achieve accurate pricing for products and the production process. 

Expand your product coordinator skill set

Launch your product management career by securing a product coordinator job. First, you must learn in-demand skills and methodologies top product coordinators use. On Coursera, you can choose specific courses focusing on product coordinator skills that help boost your resume and prepare you for the job. Courses such as 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, the Real World Product Management Specialization is an ideal way to learn new and innovative techniques in product management and coordination. Enrol today to build your resume and advance your career journey.