Sr Category Manager - job 1 of 2

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading innovation company focused on creating smarter, safer and more beautiful homes and improving lives. Our driving purpose is that we elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too.

When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team who are empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength.

Explore life at Fortune Brands here.

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 role is eligible for a hybrid schedule based in our headquarters in Deerfield, IL, at least 3 days per week (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday).

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 value
• Plan 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 profitability
• Drive 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 categories
• Manage the full lifecycle for the assigned portfolio from NPD through obsolescence and inventory disposition
• Leverage 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 objectives
• Collaborate with Brand, Channel Marketing, Digital, and Commercialization teams to support the development of sales assets, public relations campaigns, and advertising activities
• Train 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

Basic Qualifications:

• 7+ years of in product management, marketing, or engineering, preferably in a manufacturing and/or consumer durables setting
• Practical knowledge and experience with the new product development process
• Ability to interpret and leverage insights from pro forma and other financial analysis tools
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills including ability to speak and present for groups of all sizes
• Well-versed in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Nice to Have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or Engineering OR Master's Degree in Business Administration
• Experience driving eCommerce and omnichannel marketing
• Experience with connected products/IoT products

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is $125,000 USD - $150,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range or be above or below the range based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.  In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance or a role-based sales incentive plan.

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.

Fortune Brands Innovation (FBIN) is built on industry-leading brands and innovation within our operating segments: Plumbing, Doors 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.

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.