Product Manager

E. H. Wachs, an Illinois Tool Works Company, is a recognized world leader in the manufacture and distribution of field machining and valve exercising equipment. www.ehwachs.com.

Join us as a Product Manager and play a pivotal role in elevating product excellence from the ground up. In this dynamic onsite position located in Lincolnshire, IL, you will play a key role in advancing our product portfolio, shaping strategic marketing initiatives, and turning customer insights into real solutions. You’ll collaborate closely with Marketing, Engineering, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to identify customer needs, shape product roadmaps, and drive product success. You’ll also support the creation of compelling content and executing marketing efforts to deliver impactful launches and sustained engagement.

If you’re a proactive, analytical problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced industrial setting, this is your opportunity to make a measurable impact.

How you will make an impact

Product Management & Strategy

• Lead product lifecycle management from ideation to end-of-life using ITW’s new product development (NPD) and 80/20 principles.
• Develop and execute product strategies and roadmaps aligned with business goals.
• Conduct market research and VOC to identify customer needs, market trends, and competitive positioning, including developing an understanding of end-user businesses and unmet needs.
• Initiate and manage product updates and new product introductions, while driving product line simplification and strategic pricing decisions.
• Collaborate with engineering to define product specifications and support development.
• Evaluate and report on product performance, including sales volume, margins, and market share.

Marketing & Content Support

• Assist in creating product launch materials and marketing collateral.
• Contribute to messaging, value propositions, and technical documentation.
• Support trade shows, events, and customer visits as needed.
• Help maintain product content across digital platforms and internal systems.

What you need to do to be successful in this role

• Cross Functional Communication – Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to build productive relationships, collaborate, and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Strong ability to work with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and operations. Communicate clearly with internal teams, suppliers, and end-users to resolve issues quickly.
• Organization Skills - Manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiative & Ownership - Act as a self-starter who can work independently, learn quickly, and drive projects forward.
• Technical Aptitude – Understanding of mechanical concepts with knowledge of Product Management within industrial markets, or industrial manufacturing. Knowledge of welding preparation is a plus but not required.
• Adaptability - Navigate changing priorities, unexpected challenges, and evolving customer needs with confidence.
• Presentation & Influence - Deliver clear, impactful presentations to internal stakeholders and external audiences.
• Full Product Life-Cycle Management – Demonstrated experience managing the full product life cycle, including new product development, competitive and regulatory analysis, from customer insights through product discontinuation.
• Marketing Collaboration - Contribute to content creation, digital marketing strategies, and marketing execution to support product launches and campaigns.
• Data Analysis: Be analytical, inquisitive, and crisp in explaining the story behind the numbers and a strong ability to understand macro and micro trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• 3–5 years of product management or marketing experience, preferably within industrial manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) is required. Advanced Excel skills and demonstrated experience with pulling and analyzing data from ERP and CRM systems to support product decisions is required.
• Must be available for up to 25% travel within the United States and Canada for customer visits, supplier meetings, and industry events.