The best way to break into product management is to start as an Associate Product Manager position. Product management is best learnt by doing, and hence associate product manager role is an excellent opportunity to learn by shadowing Senior Product Managers on your team.

In this blog, we cover everything you need to know about building a career as an Associate Product Manager:

1. What do Associate Product Managers do?
2. What does a career trajectory of an Associate Product Manager look like?
3. How much do Associate Product Managers earn in India?
4. How can one start their career as an Associate Product Manager?

What is Associate Product Manager role(APM)?

The role of an Associate Product Manager (APM) is an excellent opportunity, especially for individuals interested in product development, business strategy, and working cross-functionally to execute the product ideas and to develop the career in Product Management.

Associate Product Managers (APMs) work closely with Product Managers or Senior Product Managers, assisting in various tasks such as product research, monitoring product performance, preparing product roadmaps, drafting PRDs (Product Requirement Documents), and maintaining documentation.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, collaborating with different teams, and identifying and solving business problems. It offers valuable exposure to key aspects of product management, making it a great starting point for building a rewarding career in the field.

As an Associate Product Manager,  here are a few key responsibilities:

1. Product Development Support: You’ll be assisting in the planning, development, and delivery of products or features.
2. Market Research: You’ll conduct research to understand customer needs, market trends, and competitive landscape.
3. Requirements Gathering: You’ll document and prioritize product requirements, often translating user needs into actionable tasks for engineering teams.
4. Data Analysis: You’ll monitor product performance metrics and user feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
5. Cross-functional Collaboration: You’ll communicate with teams across the organization to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.
6. Roadmap Contribution: You’ll help define and manage the product roadmap by identifying goals and tracking progress.

To be a successful Associate Product Manager, there are six core skills you’ll need:

1. Product Sense: The ability to understand user behaviour and needs, and to develop solutions that align with business goals.
2. Technical Understanding: The ability to grasp the technical aspects of a product to work effectively with engineers and other technical stakeholders. While it does not require expertise in coding, it involves having enough knowledge to engage in technical discussions, understand constraints, and evaluate possibilities to make informed decisions.
3. Data-Driven and Experimental: The ability to leverage qualitative and quantitative data to make informed decisions throughout the product life cycle. Validating ideas through testing and iteration rather than relying on assumptions.
4. Problem Solving: A core skill that drives product success. Involves identifying high-impact problems and developing solutions within time and resource constraints.
5. Communication Skills: The ability to clearly articulate ideas, decisions, and priorities to diverse stakeholders, ensuring their alignment and onboarding for plans and projects.
6. Result Orientation: The ability to focus on specific, measurable outcomes that align with business priorities, delivering value to customers. Ensures that the product roadmap, strategies, and team efforts remain aligned with desired results.

You can understand your strengths by taking this Know Yourself Test  (PS: It’s Free). Your skills report will look like this. Here is a screenshot of the same!

What does a career trajectory from Associate Product Manager to CPO look like?

A typical career trajectory looks like this:

1. Associate Product Manager (APM): An entry level position to get hands on experience, by working closely with PMs/SPMs to get the strong fundamentals such as conducting user research, analyzing data, writing product requirements, and managing smaller features or projects. This is an Individual Contributor role.
   
2. Product Manager (PM): Takes ownership of specific features or products. Defines product roadmaps, prioritise tasks, work with engineering and design teams, and ensure the product meets business and user needs. At this stage, PMs begin to lead cross-functional efforts. This is an Individual Contributor role.
   
3. Senior Product Manager (SPM): Manages larger, more complex products or multiple features within a product. They have a higher level of strategic responsibility, such as setting the vision and long-term goals for their product. Based on the organisation structure may get to mentor junior PMs. They typically manage a team of Associate Product Managers and PM interns.
   
4. Product Lead/Group Product Manager: Oversees a group of PMs and their respective products. They focus on aligning team efforts with broader organizational goals, ensuring coordination among teams, and coaching PMs. This typically is a proper transition point from an IC to a managerial role.
   
5. Director of Product: Manages a portfolio of products or an entire product line. They lead a team of GPMs and PMs, set departmental goals, and align product strategy with business objectives. Responsible for ensuring the overall success of their products and the team.
   
6. VP of Product: Leads the product organization, working closely with other executives to define company-wide goals and strategy. Oversee Directors of Product and ensure alignment across teams and business units. Focus shifts to leadership, budgeting, stakeholder management, and long-term strategic planning.
   
7. Chief Product Officer (CPO): The highest-ranking product executive, the CPO is responsible for the company’s entire product vision and strategy. They collaborate with the CEO and other C-level executives to drive the company’s mission and objectives through product innovation and execution.
   

How much salary do Associate Product Managers earn in India?

The Associate Product Manager salaries in India vary depending on the type of the company, your background and the location.

Here is what you can expect as an Associate Product Manager based on the location-

Based on your previous work experience and profile, you can expect Associate Product Manager Salaries in the range of 5.5 LPA to 18 LPA- Please find the chat below with the detailed information.

Based on the company’s valuation, the expected salary ranges for Associate Product Managers is 6 LPA to 20 LPA.  Please find the chat below with the detailed information.

What is the distribution of backgrounds/educations that have successfully transitioned to Associate Product Manager Role?

There is no one path for all to become an Associate Product Manager (APM) role. Based on the survey we, Upraised, did- here is the distribution of individuals who transitioned into Associate Product Management Role.

Educational Background: The educational background of Associate Product Managers is diverse. While the majority come from technical backgrounds, candidates with traditional non-technical degrees have also successfully transitioned into the Associate Product Manager (APM) role.

Work Background: Approximately 50% of candidates who transition into Associate Product Manager roles have a product background. Other 50% of the candidates come from the other domains.

You can transition into Associate Product Manager role with any background. You just need to have the right skills. To understand how you can leverage your existing skills and make the transition, you can reach out to us here. We offer 1 free career counselling session for our users.

What is the best path to get into an Associate Product Manager role?You can get into the Associate Product Manager role with any background, however you need to demonstrate the product skills. Here is the best way to do it:

Product Experience or Portfolio: This is the most important aspect to show your skills

• If you have worked on a product, in your current role or previous roles, make sure to include it in your resume. Be descriptive and detailed about what you have done and how it has influenced the product.
• If you don’t have any direct experience, you can work on a product portfolio. Now, this product portfolio would act as a proxy and compensate for your lack of experience in product. It shows how you think about the product, how you pick the problems and how you go about solving them.
  

Customise the job applications:

One size does not fit all, customise as per the JD

• Each company has a specific requirement for Associate Product Managers. Customise your application based on the job requirements. This increases the probability of getting the interview.
• You can go one step further and try picking the problem that company is trying to solve and work on it proactively as a part of your application.
  

Interview Process:

• Each company has their own interview process, and the aspects they look for in the candidate, it is very important to understand the skills recruiter is looking for in a candidate.
• You can get this idea by going through the company’s website, Job description, or talking to a few people inside the company.
• You can practice a mock product interviews with your seniors/product folks to get ride of the anxiety.

Offer negotiation:
If you have reached this stage, congratulations- You’re one step away from your dream Associate Product Manager role. Make sure to do the basic research about the pay range in that particular industry, based on your experience and negotiate accordingly.

What are different associate product manager programs in India?

Google’s Associate Product Manager Program: The Google Associate Product Manager (APM) Program is a competitive entry-level rotational program that trains aspiring product managers through hands-on projects, mentorship, and skill development. It aims to groom future product leaders at Google.

• Eligibility: Open to candidates globally, including India.
• Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Interest in product management, technology, and user experience.
• Application: Indian candidates can apply directly through Google's career portal.

Here is the link to know more about the program.

You can know more about Google India’s first Associate Product Manager hire’s journey here

Flipkart’s Associate Product Manager Program: Flipkart's Associate Product Manager (APM) Program is a selective early-career initiative to develop future product leaders through hands-on experience, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration. It offers a strong foundation for aspiring product managers in India's leading e-commerce platform.

Selection Criteria:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Experience: Recent graduates or professionals with up to 2 years of experience in product management, business analysis, or related domains.
• Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good communication, and a passion for technology and innovation.

Process:

1. Application: Submit your resume and answer any screening questions via Flipkart's career portal.
2. Aptitude Test: A quantitative and logical reasoning test.
3. Case Study Round: Solve a product or business problem and present your solution.
4. Technical Interview: Focuses on product thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
5. Final Interview: Behavioral and situational interview to assess cultural fit and passion for product management.

Here is the link to know more.

PhonePe’s Associate Product Manager Program: PhonePe's Associate Product Manager (APM) Program is an early-career initiative to train aspiring product managers through real-world challenges. It offers opportunities to build impactful digital payment and financial products in a fast-paced environment.

Selection Criteria:

• Education: Degree in Engineering, Economics, Business, or related fields.
• Experience: 0–2 years in product or tech roles; experience in fintech is a plus.
• Skills: Analytical thinking, knowledge of product lifecycles, and customer focus.

Process:

1. Application: Online application on PhonePe’s career portal.
2. Aptitude Test: Focuses on analytical and quantitative reasoning.
3. Case Study: Develop a product strategy or solution for a given problem.
4. Technical Interview: Evaluate technical and product understanding.
5. Final Round: Includes leadership interviews and cultural fit assessment.

Upraised’s Program: This is a 20 weeks, personalised program designed to help candidates upskill and get their first product role.

Selection Criteria:

• Education: Open to final-year students and recent graduates.
• Experience: 0–7 year (No prior product management experience required)
• Skills: Passion for product management, willingness to learn, and basic understanding of product concepts.

Process:

1. Application: Submit your application online.
2. Know Yourself Test: Test to understand your strengths and weaknesses.

You can enhance your skills, earn a certification, through Upraised's Product Management Launchpad Program, preparing you for your first product role.

Do international associate product manager programs recruit from India?
Mostly yes, each company has their own hiring process and policies in terms of international applications. However, Associate Product Manager programs like Google, accept applications from Indian candidates as well.

You can visit the Associate Product Manager program page of the company you’re interested in and check the specific hiring policies.