What is a product specialist? Role and responsibilities

In the evolving field of product management, product specialists (PS) play a crucial role by supporting product managers (PM) with specific expertise and knowledge about a particular product or aspect of product management, thus allowing PMs to delegate tasks and focus on broader responsibilities. Product specialists are adept in areas such as knowledge sharing, documentation, customer insights, market research, competitor analysis, product development, strategy, and project management. Although they do not make product decisions, their specialized focus on these tasks alleviates the workload of PMs, enabling more efficient management of a product's lifecycle. While product specialist roles are rare and often filled internally, they serve as a valuable stepping stone to becoming a product manager. The position typically commands a salary similar to junior product managers, with the potential for growth as one progresses to a PM role. Companies that create roles for product specialists demonstrate a commitment to product development and are likely to offer growth opportunities for individuals looking to advance in their product management careers.