Product Manager

Company Description

Buehler, a division of Illinois Tool Works, is a leading manufacturer of scientific equipment and supplies for use in material analysis. Over the past 80+ years, Buehler has established sales, manufacturing and laboratory services located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Comprised of world-class products and brands, such as Wilson Hardness, Buehler continues a long history of providing market-leading technology to support our customers in their sample preparation and material analysis applications. 

Buehler’s parent company, ITW, is a Fortune 200 global diversified industrial manufacturer of value-added consumables and specialty equipment with related service businesses. The Company focuses on profitable growth with strong returns across worldwide platforms and businesses. The businesses serve local customers and markets around the globe, with a significant presence in developed as well as emerging markets.

Job Description

The Product Manager is responsible for profitably growing a product portfolio by developing, implementing and driving marketing/business strategies and tactical action plans contributing to growth in market share and size. This key position is focused on effectively utilizing ITW’s Toolbox of core business philosophies to manage the lifecycle of multiple product lines, lead business growth initiatives and champion new product development. The Product Manager will collaborate with Marketing to develop lead generation tools, programs and campaigns and with Global Sales Teams to develop and support local growth strategies. 

• Market Landscape: Utilize ITW’s core enterprise principles to identify and allocate resources to maximize portfolio profitability and product performance.
  • Through research and market data understand our customer needs and translate those needs into actionable pain points and opportunities
  • Analyze and communicate sales trends for given product lines using dashboards and tracking reports
  • Create and implement annual growth plans and product strategy

• Strategic Marketing: Facilitate product line growth through strategic marketing and initiatives.
  • Convey value propositions for assigned product lines to key market segments through marketing and collateral
  • Develop initiatives and collaborate with commercial leaders on product sales strategies and support execution
  • Generate leads for assigned products
  • Create sales tools and playbooks

• Innovation: Build and maintain an innovation pipeline that supports Buehler’s business strategies.
  • Identify and prioritize new product opportunities and growth market segments/applications based on market knowledge and voice of customer data
  • Participate in New Product Development Stage Gate process including: strategic fit, competitive analysis, prioritized customer pain points, value proposition, business case, key requirements, voice of customer throughout the process, phase in phase out plan, feedback at concept, alpha and beta stages and launch materials

• Product Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of products through the development, commercialization, growth, maintenance, and obsolescence stages
  • Provide input to Engineering on improvements to on-market products based on quality concerns, customer feedback and market impact
  • Determine product pricing for all global regions based on market research, production/material costs and anticipated demand. Review margins for product lines and adjust pricing to maximize OI
  • Provide product specific training to the sales team

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering Degree. MBA is a plus.
• 3-5 years Product Management experience. 
• Ability to learn about and manage a technical product portfolio. Previous experience with industrial, scientific or instrumentation equipment is a plus. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead business growth initiatives and projects.
• Proven ability to identify and understand market segmentation, to develop financial business justification, and to deliver proposals to upper management.
• Experience developing product line strategy including new product development roadmaps, growth initiatives for existing products and product line simplification.
• Experience championing new product development from ideation to launch.
• Experience identifying unique value propositions and writing marketing content for targeted market segments.
• Strong team/project management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience collaborating with a multinational team a plus.
• Capable of effectively managing priorities and time when provided with multiple projects, of varying magnitude, with firm delivery dates.
• Up to 10% domestic or international travel.

Additional Information

• 7.5% 401k match
• 4 weeks of paid time off
• 10 paid company holidays
• Recognition program
• Competitive health insurance

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.