UL Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

UL Solutions is dedicated to making the world a safer, more secure, and sustainable place through innovative technology and services.

As a Product Manager at UL Solutions, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the product strategy for Batteries and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) as well as Industrial e-Mobility segments. Your key responsibilities will involve defining and owning the product direction, building and leading a competent product team, and establishing efficient product organization and processes. You will leverage your deep market understanding to support the product vision, develop services aligned with growth strategies, and contribute to the go-to-market strategy by clearly articulating how UL's offerings deliver unique value to customers.

To excel in this role, a strong background in product management complemented by technical or business experience in the battery or energy sector is essential. You should possess excellent communication and presentation skills, and be adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive effective product lifecycle management. Familiarity with product management tools and project management methodologies will be advantageous. Demonstrated ability to lead discussions with diverse stakeholders and a commitment to UL's mission of corporate responsibility will position you as an ideal candidate.

This guide serves to equip you with tailored insights into the expectations and nuances of the Product Manager role at UL Solutions, enabling you to prepare effectively for your interview.

The interview process for a Product Manager at UL is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's mission and product strategy. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a phone interview with a recruiter, lasting about 30-45 minutes. During this conversation, the recruiter will discuss your background, relevant experience, and motivations for applying to UL. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the specifics of the Product Manager role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This round focuses on your understanding of product management principles, particularly in the context of Batteries and Energy Storage Systems. Expect questions that assess your knowledge of product metrics, market analysis, and the product development lifecycle.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next stage is a behavioral interview with the hiring manager. This session will delve into your past experiences, leadership style, and how you handle cross-functional collaboration. You may be asked to provide examples of how you've successfully led product initiatives or navigated challenges in previous roles.

4. Panel Interview

Candidates who progress to this stage will meet with a panel of team members, including peers and stakeholders from various departments. This interview is designed to evaluate your ability to communicate the product vision and strategy effectively. You may also be asked to discuss your approach to product roadmapping and prioritization of features.

5. Final Interview

The final round typically involves a discussion with senior leadership or a product owner. This interview will focus on your alignment with UL's values and mission, as well as your long-term vision for the product area you would manage. Expect to engage in a dialogue about how you would contribute to the company's goals and drive product success.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared to discuss their technical skills, particularly in product metrics and project management, as well as their ability to work with remote teams and lead cross-functional initiatives.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Product Management Landscape

As a Product Manager at UL, you will be expected to have a deep understanding of the Batteries & ESS Storage and Industrial e-Mobility segments. Familiarize yourself with current trends, challenges, and innovations in these areas. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the product vision and strategy, and how your background aligns with UL's mission of making the world a safer and more sustainable place.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect to encounter behavioral questions that assess your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Highlight specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you align with UL's core values.

Emphasize Communication Skills

Strong communication and presentation skills are crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss how you have effectively communicated product strategies and goals to various stakeholders in the past. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, as you may need to present complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Showcase Your Technical Acumen

While the role may not require deep technical expertise, having a solid understanding of product management tools and methodologies is essential. Brush up on your knowledge of product lifecycle management, market analysis, and metrics evaluation. Be prepared to discuss how you have used data to inform product decisions and drive strategy.

Be Ready for Team Dynamics

Given the feedback from previous candidates, be prepared for a potentially varied interview experience. You may encounter different interviewers with different styles. Stay adaptable and maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the interview format. Show that you can thrive in a dynamic environment and work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thoughtful follow-up email thanking your interviewers for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. This not only demonstrates professionalism but also keeps you on their radar. Given the feedback about communication lapses in the hiring process, a polite follow-up can help you stand out.

Align with UL's Culture

UL values its people and promotes a culture of growth and achievement. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for continuous learning and development. Discuss how you envision your career path aligning with UL's mission and how you can contribute to the company's goals. This alignment will resonate well with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to being a part of their team.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only qualified for the role but also a great fit for UL's culture and values. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at UL Solutions. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your understanding of the battery and energy storage industry, and your ability to lead cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to product strategy, and how you measure success.

Product Management Experience

1. Can you describe a product you managed from conception to launch? What were the key challenges you faced?

This question assesses your hands-on experience in product management and your problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific product, highlighting your role in its development, the challenges encountered, and how you overcame them. Focus on the impact of your decisions on the product's success.

Example

“I managed the launch of a new battery management system. One key challenge was aligning the engineering and marketing teams on product features. I facilitated regular cross-functional meetings to ensure everyone was on the same page, which ultimately led to a successful launch and positive customer feedback.”

2. How do you prioritize features for a product roadmap?

This question evaluates your strategic thinking and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or metrics you use. Emphasize how you balance customer needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

Example

“I use a combination of customer feedback, market research, and business impact analysis to prioritize features. I often employ the MoSCoW method to categorize features into must-haves, should-haves, could-haves, and won’t-haves, ensuring that we focus on delivering maximum value.”

3. Describe a time when you had to pivot your product strategy. What led to that decision?

This question tests your adaptability and decision-making skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where market feedback or data prompted a change in strategy. Highlight your analytical skills and how you communicated the change to your team.

Example

“During the development of a new energy storage solution, we received feedback indicating that our target market preferred a different feature set. Analyzing the data, I proposed a pivot to focus on those features, which resulted in a more competitive product and increased interest from potential customers.”

4. How do you measure the success of a product?

This question assesses your understanding of product metrics and KPIs.

How to Answer

Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you track and how they align with business objectives. Mention any tools or methodologies you use for measurement.

Example

“I measure product success through a combination of user engagement metrics, customer satisfaction scores, and revenue growth. I utilize tools like Google Analytics and customer feedback surveys to gather data, which helps inform future product iterations.”

Industry Knowledge

5. What trends do you see shaping the future of the battery and energy storage industry?

This question gauges your industry knowledge and foresight.

How to Answer

Discuss current trends, such as advancements in battery technology, sustainability efforts, or regulatory changes. Show your understanding of how these trends impact product strategy.

Example

“I see a significant shift towards sustainable battery technologies, driven by both consumer demand and regulatory pressures. This trend will likely lead to increased investment in recycling technologies and the development of more efficient energy storage solutions.”

6. How do you stay updated on industry developments and competitor products?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and market awareness.

How to Answer

Share the resources you use to stay informed, such as industry publications, conferences, or networking groups. Highlight any specific examples of how this knowledge has influenced your work.

Example

“I regularly read industry publications like Battery Technology and attend conferences such as the International Battery Seminar. This helps me stay informed about emerging technologies and competitor strategies, which I incorporate into our product planning sessions.”

Leadership and Team Collaboration

7. How do you handle conflicts within your product team?

This question assesses your leadership and conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Describe your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication and collaboration. Provide an example of a conflict you successfully navigated.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I encourage open dialogue among team members to understand different perspectives. For instance, during a disagreement over product features, I facilitated a brainstorming session where everyone could voice their opinions, leading to a consensus that satisfied all parties.”

8. Can you give an example of how you have led a cross-functional team?

This question evaluates your leadership and teamwork abilities.

How to Answer

Share a specific example of a project where you led a cross-functional team, detailing your role and the outcome.

Example

“I led a cross-functional team to develop a new energy-efficient product. I coordinated efforts between engineering, marketing, and sales, ensuring that everyone was aligned on goals. This collaboration resulted in a product that exceeded our sales targets by 30% in the first quarter post-launch.”