Brand Manager – Innovation & Product Strategy

ITW Car Care is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) specializing in automotive aftermarket products. The division offers a diverse portfolio of brands such as Rain-X wiper blades visibility enhancing products and water repellent treatments including our 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner. Black Magic to support all your wheel and tire needs including Tire Wet.

Weare seeking a strategicBrand Managerto lead innovation and product strategy initiatives on ITWs most important brand. This individual will support the Group Brand Manager in shaping the Wipers growth agenda including short- and long-term innovation pipeline development portfolio strategy CBI planning and long-range planning support.

This role requires a consumer-first data-driven leader who can identify growth opportunities translate insights into clear business recommendations and partner cross-functionally to advance initiatives from early opportunity identification through commercialization planning.

• Brand Leadership & Strategy:Support the Group Brand Manager in developing the brands long-range strategic roadmap identifying growth opportunities category white space and portfolio priorities that align with business objectives.

• Innovation Pipeline:Lead the development of the short- and long-term innovation pipeline including opportunity identification concept development business case creation prioritization and advancement through the stage-gate process.

• Portfolio & Product Strategy:Lead product strategy across the Wipers portfolio including portfolio architecture assortment opportunities channel-specific needs and lifecycle management recommendations.

• Consumer & Category Insights:Leverage consumer research syndicated data shopper insights competitive intelligence and category trends to identify opportunities for innovation trade-up and incremental growth.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner closely with Sales Finance Supply Chain R&D and external agencies to align plans and move initiatives from early opportunity assessment through commercialization planning.

• P&L Ownership:Manage theinnovationP&L balancing investment profitability andrevenuegrowth.Develop financial models and business cases to evaluate innovation opportunities including revenue margin CBI investment needs and commercialization risks.

• Stakeholder Communication:Effectively communicate brand strategy performance andfuture plansto senior leadership influencing decision-making across the organization.

• Entrepreneurial Mindset:Thrive in ambiguity with a solutions-driven approach; challenge the status quo and identify opportunities for breakthrough growth.Demonstrate curiosity ownership and the ability to create structure around ambiguous opportunities.

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Business or related field (MBA preferred).

• 5 - 7 years of progressive brand management product marketing innovation or product strategy experience with a strong track record of developing and advancing new product opportunities.

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize consumer insights category trends syndicated data financials and competitive dynamics into clear growth recommendations.

• Experience with syndicated data such asCircana formerly IRI or Nielsen as well as qualitative and quantitative research used to build consumer intimacy and inform strategy.

• Strong financial acumen including experience developing P&Ls business cases revenue/margin assumptions and innovation investment recommendations.

• Demonstrated experience aligning and leading cross-functional teams across R&D Supply Chain Sales and Finance; excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present to senior stakeholders and key retail customers.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to travel up to 25% of time.

• Opportunity toshapethe companys flagship brand with high visibility to senior leadership.

• Dynamic collaborative environment where innovation and growth are celebrated.

• Opportunity to influence the future growth agenda for a leading brand through innovation portfolio strategy and long-range planning.

Reasonableaccommodationmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This job description should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this position. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned.

The position is based in ourHoustonTX offices and must work in that location.