Experience Inc. Jobs

Director- Category Management, Water Mgmt

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

The Director, Water Management, is the senior category leader with responsibility for driving the strategic and financial results of the category. The Director – Water Management conducts strategic business analysis, planning, and execution of product line initiatives. The Director – Water Management also develops and implements long-term marketing strategies and short-term marketing plans, consistent with the strategic and financial objectives of the Kitchen & Bath North America division.

Primary responsibilities include product management, new product development, portfolio management, pricing, programs, and promotions. The Director – Water Management will work closely with channel partners to develop trade and consumer communications for their category. The Director, Water Management, will interact with consumers and customers on a regular basis to develop an in-depth understanding of the market, including the strengths and weaknesses of key competitors.

Primary Objectives

• Establish Kohler Co. as a leading player in water filtration and water management.

• Build a portfolio of point-of-use water filtration products including bottle-fillers and under-the-sink solutions that spans across residential and commercial segments.

• In each product segment, deliver market leading design and innovation to achieve vitality targets and brand difference.

• Define the route-to-market strategy for the water filtration and water management products in the portfolio.

• Evaluate partnership, joint venture, and acquisition opportunities to accelerate Kohler Co. entrance and growth across product and channel segments.

• Deliver the financial objectives for the category including orders, net sales, and net income and margin.

Specific Responsibilities

General Marketing Management

• Operate as the recognized central authority for Water Filtration, competitor activities, the Filtration market across segments, and Kohler’s participation in it.

• Owns the category profit and loss statement, focused on orders, net sales, and net income and margin and responsible for ongoing financial performance and monthly forecast.

• Provide senior management with information and recommendations on the most profitable strategies for the Water Filtration products business via New Product Scheduling, Strategic Planning, and longer-term business plan presentations.

• Monitor current and anticipate future consumer and customer needs and preferences within the North American market by working closely with Market Research, Field Sales and Channel Marketing.

• Responsible for identifying and analyzing potential partnership, joint venture and acquisition candidates, where these represent an opportunity or solution for the company.

• Consistently interact and share information with other members of the Category Management organization, in addition to the rest of KBNA and GPI, to maximize the overall return.

• Examines current processes and recommends and implements improvements to align the business with Kohler Co. and industry best practices.

• Collaborate with other category management leaders in other Kohler Co. product categories and businesses to ensure proper communication and alignment where necessary and to leverage synergies.

Product Management

• Product management responsibility for all new and existing water filtration products within the Kohler portfolio throughout all stages of their life cycle, from development to discontinuance, directed at maximizing the profitability of the entire portfolio.

• Responsible for the development, execution, and maintenance of a long-term new product schedule that delivers upon the profitable growth strategies for each product line and drives new levels of innovation. Accountable for facilitating adherence to the new product development process across all functional areas including Industrial Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Accounting, and Operations.

• Prioritize all Group Development actions as they relate to Kohler Water Filtration. Communicate the overall category strategy as a means of driving engagement of all participants and improve performance of New Product Development teams.

• Work with stakeholders through relevant forecast inputs and product information as they relate to customer service, product rollouts and adherence to production and service levels.

• Help coordinate with legal department and engineering group in obtaining protection of proprietary rights and trademarks for new and existing products.

• Consistently working with the Quality organization to monitor product quality, warranty and claims issues. Recommend product or process changes to insure a continuously superior level of quality within our products and services.

• Coordinate responses to customer and consumer inquiries regarding products whether technical or general in nature. Strive to exceed customer expectations with regard to all interactions with Kohler Co.

Marketing Programs and Communications

• Work closely with commercialization team to develop promotional plans, advertising, print and multi-media materials, displays, exhibits, and other support material for the promotion of the category.

• Work with Channel Marketing to develop and execute marketing programs directed at promoting Water Filtration products within the trade and other channels of distribution.

• Development

• Motivates peers, and cross-functional team members to drive end results. Operates as department leader, implements coaching strategies, forges partnerships, inspires commitment, promotes persistence, and shapes the environment.

• Determines resource needs for category management support of business. Responsible for on-going training of team members when and where necessary.

• Responsible for the ongoing coaching, career development and training of all future direct reports, when applicable.

• Responsible for ensuring that the best talent is secured, engaged and retained within the Water Filtration category management team, when applicable.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business or related field. MBA with major study in Management / Marketing is preferred.

• 10 or more years related experience required with progressively more responsibility and a track record of results.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience with P&L and/or budget management is preferred.

• Approximately 15% travel is required.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $174,45 - $218,050. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.