Technology Commercialization - Early-Stage Product Manager

About Lenovo CTO Org

Lenovo CTO Org is the cutting-edge R&D division of Lenovo, dedicated to advancing information technology, smart devices, and services. Our mission is to drive breakthrough innovations that power Lenovo's most advanced products and services, shaping the future of AI, hybrid computing, edge technologies, and beyond.

About the Role

This role sits at the core of Lenovo CTO Org's strategic PMO team, focusing on commercialization strategy for early-stage product concepts, driving some of the most critical strategic and commercialization initiatives in the company. As part of the team, you will not only shape R&D roadmaps and investment priorities but also assess the commercialization potential of emerging technologies or early-stage product ideas.

We are seeking strategic thinkers with deep business acumen, and individuals who can combine technology foresight with potential commercial value to inform Lenovo's innovation and investment decisions. You will work alongside world-class researchers, engineers, and business leaders, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology development, market opportunity assessment, and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Commercialization Assessment & Market Opportunity Analysis:

• Assess market opportunities for emerging technologies and early product ideas, identifying high-potential applications and customer pain points.
• Define top applications and market segments, analyzing trends, market size, and growth potential.
• Map the value chain and competitive positioning, identifying existing and emerging players, investment trends, and industry disruptions.
• Evaluate VC investment landscapes to understand funding trends in target sectors.
• Develop Minimum Viable Product (MVP) theses, identifying paths to commercialization and scalability.

Technology Differentiation & Competitive Analysis:

• Evaluate technology differentiation, assessing the strength of Lenovo's proposed early product ideas.
• Identify opportunities for platform leverage, technology partnerships, and ecosystem collaboration.
• Analyze competing and winning technologies, providing insights into go-to-market strategies and differentiation levers.
• Deliver insights and recommendations to Lenovo Research leadership and corporate executives, influencing R&D investment and business strategy.

What We Look For

• Strategic mindset with a strong background in technology strategy, management consulting, or corporate incubations.
• Experience conducting commercialization analysis, 0 to 1 product management, including market sizing, customer discovery, and business model evaluation.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with the ability to assess market viability, competitive positioning, and investment opportunities.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into actionable business insights for executive stakeholders.
• Experience working in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments, where curiosity and adaptability are essential.
• Passion for emerging technologies, including AI, ML, computing, and digital transformation.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in strategy, commercial validation, or market analysis in technology, or innovation-focused industries.
• Bachelor Degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Electronics Engineering, Business, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Business Administration.
• 4+ years post-MBA strategy consulting experience.
• Proven experience in commercialization assessment, 0 to 1 early product management, product incubations, market sizing, competitive landscape evaluation, and investment analysis.
• Strong commercial analysis and problem-solving skills, synthesizing market trends, dynamics, and competition.
• Expertise in market opportunity assessment, defining customer pain points, applications, and go-to-market strategies.
• Proficient in financial modeling, investment analysis, and commercialization feasibility.
• Skilled in structuring ambiguous problems and applying data-driven insights.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, product, finance, and executives.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling, influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience in corporate strategy, venture capital, product strategy, or corporate development within a leading technology firm.
• Exposure to tech startup investment, M&A, or incubation strategies.
• Knowledge of patent strategy, IP assessment, and tech scouting.
• Experience in technology partnerships, M&A, or venture investments.
• Understanding of R&D lifecycle and deep-tech commercialization.

Typical Candidate:

• Post-MBA professional with early stage product strategy / commercialization / venture building experience (McKinsey Leap, BCG X, Bain Innovation and Design, Mach49, Co-Create etc.).
• Expertise in technology strategy & incubations, and commercialization of emerging technologies.
• Strong skills in market opportunity assessment, competitive analysis, and go-to-market feasibility.
• Passionate about AI, ML, new product development, and advanced computing concepts, with a deep understanding of industry trends and market dynamics.
• Proven ability to influence C-suite decisions in fast-paced, complex corporate environments.
• Experience in business case development, including market sizing, commercialization strategy, and investment assessment.
• Background in venture investments, corporate development, or product/technical program management within a tech company, startup incubator, or innovation lab.