Category Manager

As the Category Manager for our Larson Brand portfolio of products, you will be empowered and expected to grow margins and profitability enabling the Outdoors Business Unit to meet its overall financial goals. 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.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in marketing and (5)+ years in category and product management, preferably in the building materials industry. Experienced in developing & setting product strategy, new product introductions and new product development (NPD), and adept at working cross-functionally with other COE’s and functions. The ability to travel 25% of the time, including overnights.

This role is designated as hybrid which includes working 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) out of one of our Fortune Brands hub locations (North Olmsted, OH; Maumee, OH; Oak Creek, WI; of Deerfield, IL).

What you will be doing:

• Create Product Strategies that align to and enable the Outdoors overall strategic plan by 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 guide annual pricing strategy to maximize our profitable share across channels.
• Partner with Revenue Growth Management, sales, analytics and finance teams to understand channel dynamics & 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 dynamic 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 data 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of product management experience in durable goods manufacturing
• Various market segments and channel experience
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to arrive at insights from data, is essential for market evaluation, pricing, and line management.
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player with skills to guide/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 (Carolinas and Wisconsin and plant locations).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA in Marketing, Business, or related field
• Prior consumer/durable goods experience
• Experience with consumer package goods
• Relevant experiences interfacing with large retail customers.