Director Product Management

Klein Tools is a dynamic, fast-paced and results driven company dedicated to launching hundreds of innovative products each year. Are you ready to make an impact?

• Paid Vacations & Holidays
• Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)
• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
• Discounts on Klein Tools products
• Education and Professional Development Assistance

The Director Product Management is responsible for leading 3+ Product Managers and the Product Management function of Klein Tools Heavy Infrastructure (B2B) Division. Product Management includes all new and existing product management. This position is responsible for all aspects of product management including sales, margins, suggested retail prices, distribution prices, product portfolio and end of life. Product Management also includes leadership of most new product development projects, end user VOC, customer sales meetings in conjunction with sales, specific marketing, and supplier relationships.

• Direct and manage the product management team.
• Develop short- and long-range strategies for multiple product lines to achieve strategic goals and maximize sale and profit objectives.
• Develop revenue and profit objectives for multiple product lines.
• Adjust marketing strategy to meet changing market and competitive conditions; monitor competitive products and marketing activities.
• Display leadership when working with cross-functional teams. Inspire and motivate the cross-functional team and outside partners.
• Ensure that product managers stay current with competitors and market trends through interactions with sales people, distributors, and end users through a variety of venues. Collect and maintain marketing information.
• Conduct market research as necessary. Responsible for planning and conducting in-depth marketing research when additional research is needed, such as specific market studies, focus groups, etc.
• Collaborate with marketing team to coordinate all marketing communications activity to communicate with outside customers (branding, advertising, public relations, and packaging).
• Specify and maintain a system to identify delays or problems during the development of new products in order to resolve issues quickly.
• Work to improve new product time-to-market and the process that delivers those new products.
• Validate that product development projects follow the stage gates of the new product development (NPD) process. Work with others to improve the NPD process.
• Responsible for monthly reporting on current state of product management and new product development including achievement to corporate objectives. Publish monthly metrics on on-time performance and other metrics as required.
• Plan and control the product management budget. Help to plan the engineering product development budget.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors Degree in Business, Marketing or Engineering and seven (7) years related work experience in product management, marketing, and product design.
• MBA or extensive business experience and experience in the hand tool industry is preferred.
• Must possess knowledge working with large home improvement retailers and electrical distributors.
• Must possess experience in evaluating markets, market trends, and customer and sales feedback to develop new product plans.
• Must possess knowledge in product portfolio planning.
• Must possess knowledge in Product Development Process background.
• Demonstrate strong planning, organizing and change management capabilities. Demonstrate strong financial modeling and forecasting skills. Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to lead cross-functional product development teams. Ability to demonstrated successful leadership experience - ability to recruit, develop team members, and retain talent within the organization. Ability to effectively communicate and present information to team members, top management, customers, and/or suppliers.

• Physical Demands:
  Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to grasp, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; push or pull; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; lift objects up to 25 pounds; vision requirements as described.
• Travel:
  Up to 10% - may include international travel.

If based in Illinois, this role has an annual salary range of $,000 with a percentage bonus structure. In addition to salary, you’re eligible for competitive benefits that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Klein Tools Inc. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors, including skills, experience, and location.

• Quality
• Customer Obsession
• Innovation
• Ownership
• Teamwork

Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For…