How open would you be to hire a product manager working remotely and what would be your "must have" points for considering such a candidate?

I’ve worked as a PM with remote teams, and managed remote PMs. I would only hire a remote PM if they were the “right PM” for a remote job. Toptal can help you with you search for the “right PM”, and while you embark on your search you can use my short list of must have requirements:

• Solid Communication Skills
• As a remote PM you will not have the opportunity to sit down with the developers and designers to hash out problems. Your new PM will need to clearly communicate the direction of your product and have the patience to listen to and address any miscommunications that are bound to occur.
• A Deep Understanding of your Industry
• As remote teams work across different time zones, your remote PM will need a deep understanding of your industry to guide your developers through the development of the product and execute time sensitive decisions when Founders or higher managers are unavailable. You’ll definitely want an experienced hand at the wheel for those times.
• A Solid Track Record of Success
• A remote PM will not have the benefit of colleagues sitting beside them to lean on as they ramp up. Your new remote PM should have a track record of success so that they can hit the ground running.
• A Positive and Outgoing Team Attitude
• Being remote can be a lonely endeavour, your new PM should be a positive outgoing team player lifting up the mood of the developers and designers!

With the right remote PM you can have a cost effective and efficient workflow which produces a solid product. Best of luck with your search!