Product/Category Manager

Company Description

Fortune Brands Innovation (FBIN) is built on industry-leading brands and innovation within our operating segments: water, outdoors and security. We have an impressive track record of strong financial results, market outperformance and growth, which translates into career and professional growth opportunities for associates. Please visit our website at fbin.com to learn more.

Job Description

As a Product/Category Manager, you will be empowered and expected to grow margin and profitability of your product lines, enabling the BU to meet its overall financial objective. You will provide thought leadership and direction to ensure we have the right products, in the right channels, with the right pricing architecture. You will have a deep understanding of the market and target customer groups to recommend strategies that will increase market share and profitability throughout the product lifecycle.

YOUR ROLE:

The bullet points below reflect roughly 80% of your job. We are a fast-paced company, you may be pulled in a variety of different directions with tasks added or changed.

• In collaboration with the FBIN COE’s and functions, Create Product Strategies that align to and enable the BU’s strategic plan, utilizing both an 8020 and total product lifecycle management mindset. Articulate the strategy on what we should sell and innovate more or less of, and how we will position our products in the different channels to market.
• Develop and execute annual product plans to meet growth, market share and profitability goals. Manage trade-offs and balance conflicting demands to execute required initiatives to prune (exit), fix (cost, quality) and grow (marketing, product/omni channel strategy, new product introductions) the product lines profitably.
• Determine product line pricing architectures and lead annual pricing strategy to maximize our profitable share across channels. Partner with Revenue Growth Management, sales, analytics and finance teams to understand channel dynamics & competitive positioning, set list prices, and review the revenue and profit impact of price requests/changes.
• Influence and educate the business on how we go to market. Provide thought leadership and direction within and outside the organization for business, technical or competitive issues on assigned product line/s.
• Develop new product/solutions/services objectives, strategies and timelines to maximize market share growth.
• Champion the “Voice of the Customer & Consumer” by developing a thorough understanding of customer and market needs / trends. Conduct competitive analysis and gain insight to product gaps or advantages.
• Responsible for providing a regular profit review of product line results, with recommended actions, to accomplish attaining market share, revenue, and profitability targets for assigned product range.
• Effectively communicate and explain the rationale of product line strategies, positioning, channel needs, financial impact, priorities and customer requirements.
• Provide sales and product training support to drive revenue and profitability goals of product line. Attend industry-related trade shows, sales meetings, and maintain trade association contacts as needed. Maintain a general understanding of pertinent industry standards to best position assigned product line.
• Support brand marketing / marketing services with product knowledge, promotional strategies and tactics for assigned product lines. Review content and message of all collateral materials and communications for assigned product lines. Ensure the accuracy of product offering, descriptions, pricing, etc in all company communications.
• May perform other duties as assigned

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of product management experience in durable goods manufacturing, including new product launch, portfolio analysis, product life cycle management, category simplification, and management of cross-functional teams
• Prior demonstrated success in developing product plans for retail and/or wholesale channels
• Various market segments and channel experience
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to arrive at insights from analytical data, is essential for market and competitive evaluation, pricing and line management
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player with skills to lead/participate in cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated effective verbal, written and presentation skills
• Advanced computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SAP)
• Ability to travel approximately 25%, mainly to customer locations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA in Marketing, Business or related field
• Prior P & L experience
• Experience in product development, marketing and promoting products through creative marketing processes with retail or trade partners
• Experience with commercial building products and distribution, specifications, architects and façade design a plus

Additional information

BENEFITS

• All the Insurance coverage you’d expect like medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, wellness programs, 401K all effective on your date of hire, and a bonus program plus generous PTO
• Scholarship program for children of employees
• Annual merit and incentive programs
• Charitable gift matching
• Adoption Assistance

EMPLOYEE PERKS

• Culture committed to work-life balance
• Programs in place to support professional development and career growth
• Stock purchase program and charitable gift matching
• Associate Purchase Program on All Fortune Brands Products
• Wear your jeans to work!

WORK LIFE BALANCE

• Approximately 25% of time traveling
• Travel & expense reimbursement program

At Fortune Brands Innovations, we support the overall health and wellness of our associates by offering comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates’ unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution, product discounts, flexible time off benefits (including half-day summer Fridays per policy), inclusive fertility / adoption benefits, and more. We offer numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to support inclusivity and our associates’ feeling of belonging at work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FBIN is an equal opportunity employer. FBIN evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

FBIN is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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