Director - Product Development and Marketing

Join our vertically integrated team at MAT Holdings, Inc., a leading global manufacturer with a 40-year history. We're proud to provide employment opportunities for more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries. Headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois, we have over 40 factories on three continents, including 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space.

You will find our products in home improvement centers, big box retailers, hardware stores, and automotive chains. They're in the cars you drive, the trailers you tow, and the heavy-duty machinery you operate.

MAT can maintain consistent expertise and solutions across the entire supply chain. We’re experts in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and distribution, marketing, design, and customer service — we don't just make it happen. We ensure it happens with excellence.

We’re more than manufacturing, we’re MAT.

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D , Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

Job Summary

The Director -  Product Development and Marketing will direct and lead all efforts to support Midwest Air Technologies’ growth initiatives. They will play a key role in driving the business through innovative new product development and marketing strategies, tactics, and execution that achieve the Company’s aggressive volume, profit, and market share objectives.

Compensation Range: $146,500 — $183,100

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES:

Business Management

• Deliver budgeted volume and profit on all products across all channels of business annually.
• Develop and oversee product marketing plans, including strategy and positioning, differentiation, market research, and all aspects of integrated marketing, such as advertising, public relations, communication, trade journals, brochures, trade shows, and other promotional materials.
• Track and monitor the competitive landscape across all channels, including key competitors, sustainable competitive advantages, and identify and exploit core competencies.
• Lead SKU rationalization process.
• Oversee all elements of new product communication, both internally and externally
• Drive strategies to improve digital content capabilities for online presence
• Execute processes to monitor the online review process (Bazaar Voice, etc.)

Product Development

• Identify new opportunities by recognizing consumer trends, formulating long-term new product plans, and working effectively with NPD to develop and drive innovative new products now in the pipeline and for the future (either marketing-initiated or customer-led initiatives).
• Screen and track initial new product requests from customers, field sales, or marketing.
• Influence the prioritization of all new product development initiatives (custom products, new product initiatives, line extensions, or breakthrough products) in collaboration with sales and executive management.
• Lead and drive regular product review meetings to ensure proper balance in the portfolio along with consensus on priorities.
• Drive, execute, and maintain the New Product roadmap with Sales, Engineering, Production, Marketing Services, and management
• Properly manage the internal relationship with Marketing Services to ensure all projects are completed on time.
• Regularly meet with the Sales Team to present new product launches and support the product communication plan for the sales team to execute in the field
• Perform regular “post-mortem” evaluations of product launches to ensure constant improvement and refinement of processes, resources, and deliverables.

Sales Support

• Develop strong relationships with sales. Ensure the development and execution of appropriate marketing plans and programs that support each product line, channel, and major customer.
• Actively drive the customer PRL process with sales (samples, presentation, digital assets) that lead to best-in-class presentations with our customers  
• Provide the salesforce with adequate marketing support, including sales tools, training, consumer trend information, customer presentations, and problem-solving support, as well as marketing communications to support sales growth.
• Oversee all communication initiatives focused on driving growth or improving MAT’s reputation within the industry, including website development and enhancement, public relations activities, and social media postings and outreach.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Build a high-performance, productive, and cohesive team at both the corporate level and across all project teams. Provide leadership, strategy, and direction to the marketing and NPD organization to build functional expertise and organizational credibility. This includes objective setting, performance management, measuring results, team development, and providing a clear expectation
• Actively manage and affect marketing & NPD departments by fostering a positive work environment through open and ongoing communication, hiring, directing, mentoring, and providing feedback to direct reports, and creating an environment that supports ongoing training and development within the department.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Results orientation; high levels of personal initiative, energy, and ownership for success
• Strong business acumen and expertise in strategy creation, product development, and marketing principles and concepts
• Strong team leadership and team facilitation skills; capable of hiring, developing, and leading a team to achieve desired organizational objectives
• Ability to work well across teams and in a matrix organization (especially related to sales staff); understands how to build a service relationship with internal and external customers
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work equally well with peers, superiors, and subordinates
• Understanding of accounting basics including overall P&L, pricing & margin analysis, etc.; strong analytical skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong project management skills; well organized; demonstrated planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative business solutions; good judgment and decision-making process
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field;
• 10 years of progressively responsible work experience with at least 7 years in a product management discipline
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and management
• Demonstrated track record in product development and successful product launches
• Experience in project management and team facilitation
• Experience in data analysis, change management, and process improvement activities

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.