Sr Category Manager

The Sr. Category Manager / Product Manager is the champion for assigned product categories and plays a pivotal role in managing the portfolio as a business. The ability to create and execute successful strategies, build narratives around those strategies, and influence multiple stakeholders internally and externally are necessary for success.The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or Engineering OR an MBA with at least 7 years experience in product management, marketing, or engineering, preferably in a manufacturing and/or consumer durables industry. You will be a people person who loves building relationships with internal and external customers and be available to travel up to 15%.Location: This position is designated hybrid reporting to our office in Oak Creek, WI, or Deerfield, IL, at least 3 days per week (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday). We anticipate up to 15% travel.What you'll be doing:Develop long-range strategic plans with annual updates for product, channel, process, and business opportunities. Focus needs to be on leveraging existing and creating new protected valuePlan and manage new product development projects through the entirety of a stage-gate process. Develop new product development objectives, strategies, and timelines to maximize market share growth and profitabilityDrive category captain leadership with external customers by leveraging analytics and/or insights for our markets, end users, and channels. Collaborate with sales, finance, and revenue growth management teams to execute product line reviews and assortment updates.Deliver on P&L targets for assigned product categoriesManage the full lifecycle for the assigned portfolio from NPD through obsolescence and inventory dispositionLeverage and drive market research and consumer understanding to identify new product opportunities, willingness to pay, positioning, purchase triggers, and decision-making. Market research spans qualitative and quantitative from customer VOC to segmentation studies to concept testing and field trials.Plan product line pricing and pricing strategy to manage profitability in line with business objectivesCollaborate with Brand, Channel Marketing, Digital, and Commercialization teams to support the development of sales assets, public relations campaigns, and advertising activitiesTrain internal and external customers on products, marketing programs, and business developments. Communicate regularly with field sales associates including occasional travel to key accounts and end users.Respond to daily customer and field sales inquiries, requests, and concerns.Develop a library and database of relevant markets, competitors, and complimentary offerings to identify and assess potential acquisitions or market expansions