Advanced Drainage Systems Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leader in providing innovative solutions for stormwater management and drainage, dedicated to enhancing environmental quality and infrastructure sustainability.

As a Product Manager at Advanced Drainage Systems, you will play a pivotal role in promoting and servicing ADS products across your designated territory. Key responsibilities include increasing product approvals and acceptance within the engineering community, regulators, contractors, and owners. You will provide training, education, and technical support, ensuring a deep understanding of ADS's stormwater product lines, particularly in stormwater capture, conveyance, storage, and treatment. Daily in-person interactions with design firms and regulatory agencies will be essential for generating new projects and maintaining a robust specification database within Salesforce.

To excel in this role, you should possess a Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering, with a Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can work independently and build strong relationships with key stakeholders. Familiarity with the construction site environment and bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish may also enhance your candidacy.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by equipping you with insights into the role's expectations and the competencies valued by Advanced Drainage Systems.

The interview process for a Product Manager at Advanced Drainage Systems is structured to assess both technical competencies and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a preliminary phone interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. This conversation is designed to gauge your interest in the role, discuss your background, and evaluate your alignment with the company’s values and culture. Expect questions about your previous experiences, motivations for applying, and how you envision contributing to the team.

2. Cultural Fit Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may undergo a unique cultural fit assessment conducted by a third-party HR agency. This step is focused on understanding your interpersonal skills, work ethic, and overall compatibility with the company culture. Be prepared for in-depth questions that explore your motivations and commitment to the role, as the agency will be looking for genuine enthusiasm and alignment with the company’s mission.

3. Technical Interview

The technical interview is typically conducted by a hiring manager or a senior member of the product management team. This session will delve into your knowledge of product management principles, marketing strategies, and your ability to engage with engineering communities and regulatory bodies. Expect to discuss your experience with product approvals, project management, and your familiarity with tools like Salesforce.

4. Onsite Interview

The final stage usually consists of an onsite interview at the company’s headquarters. This may involve multiple rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, including team members from sales, engineering, and management. Each session will focus on different aspects of the role, such as your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and how you would approach training and supporting clients. Behavioral questions will also be prevalent, assessing how you handle challenges and collaborate with others.

Throughout the process, candidates should demonstrate their understanding of ADS products and their applications, as well as their ability to build relationships with key stakeholders in the industry.

Now that you have an overview of the interview process, let’s explore the specific questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Advanced Drainage Systems places a strong emphasis on cultural fit, as evidenced by the involvement of a third-party HR agency in the interview process. Familiarize yourself with the company's values and mission, and be prepared to articulate how your personal values align with theirs. Demonstrating a genuine interest in the company and its products will help you stand out as a candidate who is not just looking for a job, but is truly invested in contributing to the team.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect to encounter standard behavioral questions that assess your motivations and fit for the role. Reflect on your past experiences and be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase your skills in product management, marketing, and relationship-building. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your achievements and the impact of your actions.

Showcase Your Technical Knowledge

As a Product Manager, you will need a solid understanding of ADS's stormwater product lines and their applications. Brush up on relevant technical knowledge, particularly in civil engineering and product specifications. Be prepared to discuss how you would promote and service these products, as well as how you would engage with engineers and regulators to increase product approvals. Your ability to convey technical concepts clearly will be crucial in this role.

Highlight Your Sales and Relationship-Building Skills

Given the emphasis on daily in-person calls and relationship management, be ready to discuss your experience in sales and how you have successfully built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders. Share examples of how you have influenced decision-makers and generated new projects in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to drive sales revenue and enhance the specification database.

Be Ready for a Long Interview Process

The interview process at Advanced Drainage Systems can be lengthy, as indicated by candidates' experiences. Be patient and maintain open communication with the hiring team. If you have other offers, it’s acceptable to mention this, but do so tactfully to avoid giving the impression that you are using the interview as leverage. Show your enthusiasm for the role and the company, and express your willingness to wait for the right opportunity.

Engage with Industry Knowledge

Stay informed about industry trends and key organizations relevant to ADS, such as ASCE and APWA. Demonstrating your knowledge of the industry and your willingness to engage with professional organizations will show your commitment to continuous learning and networking. This can also provide you with valuable talking points during the interview, showcasing your proactive approach to professional development.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the interview process at Advanced Drainage Systems and present yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Manager role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Advanced Drainage Systems. The interview process will likely focus on your ability to manage products effectively, engage with stakeholders, and demonstrate a strong understanding of the engineering and regulatory landscape relevant to the company's offerings. Be prepared to discuss your experience in product management, marketing, and your approach to building relationships within the industry.

Product Management and Strategy

1. How do you prioritize product features when managing a product roadmap?

This question assesses your ability to balance various stakeholder needs and market demands.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including frameworks you use (like RICE or MoSCoW) and how you incorporate feedback from customers and internal teams.

Example

“I prioritize product features by evaluating their potential impact on customer satisfaction and revenue. I use the RICE framework to score each feature based on reach, impact, confidence, and effort, ensuring that we focus on high-value items that align with our strategic goals.”

2. Describe a successful product launch you managed. What were the key factors that contributed to its success?

This question aims to understand your experience and the strategies you employ for successful product launches.

How to Answer

Highlight your role in the launch, the planning process, and how you measured success post-launch.

Example

“I led the launch of a new stormwater management product, coordinating with engineering, marketing, and sales teams. Key factors included thorough market research, targeted training sessions for our sales team, and a robust marketing campaign that highlighted the product's unique benefits, resulting in a 30% increase in sales within the first quarter.”

3. How do you gather and incorporate customer feedback into your product development process?

This question evaluates your customer-centric approach to product management.

How to Answer

Explain the methods you use to collect feedback and how you translate that into actionable insights for product improvements.

Example

“I regularly conduct customer interviews and surveys to gather feedback on our products. I also analyze support tickets to identify common pain points. This feedback is then prioritized in our product backlog, ensuring that we address the most pressing issues that affect user satisfaction.”

4. Can you give an example of how you have worked with cross-functional teams to achieve a product goal?

This question assesses your collaboration skills and ability to work with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that illustrates your role in facilitating communication and collaboration among different departments.

Example

“In my previous role, I worked closely with the engineering and marketing teams to develop a new product feature. I organized regular meetings to ensure alignment on goals and timelines, which helped us launch the feature ahead of schedule and with strong market reception.”

Marketing and Sales Alignment

5. How do you ensure that your product aligns with market needs and trends?

This question focuses on your market awareness and ability to adapt products accordingly.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for staying informed about market trends and how you apply that knowledge to product strategy.

Example

“I stay updated on industry trends by attending conferences, participating in webinars, and following key publications. I also engage with our sales team to understand customer needs and pain points, which helps me align our product offerings with market demands.”

6. Describe a time when you had to convince a stakeholder to support a product decision. What was your approach?

This question evaluates your persuasion and negotiation skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example that demonstrates your ability to present data and arguments effectively to gain stakeholder buy-in.

Example

“When proposing a new feature that required additional resources, I presented a detailed analysis of potential ROI and customer demand. I also shared testimonials from key clients who expressed interest in the feature, which ultimately convinced the stakeholders to approve the project.”

Technical Knowledge and Industry Understanding

7. What is your understanding of the regulatory environment affecting stormwater management products?

This question assesses your knowledge of the industry and its regulations.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with relevant regulations and how they impact product development and marketing strategies.

Example

“I have a solid understanding of regulations such as the Clean Water Act and local stormwater management policies. This knowledge allows me to ensure our products meet compliance standards and helps in educating clients about the benefits of our solutions in meeting these regulations.”

8. How do you maintain your technical knowledge in the civil engineering field?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

How to Answer

Share the resources and methods you use to stay current with industry advancements and technical knowledge.

Example

“I regularly attend industry conferences and participate in professional organizations like ASCE. I also subscribe to relevant journals and take online courses to deepen my understanding of new technologies and methodologies in civil engineering.”