Product Manager, Small Project Paints (Hybrid - Vernon Hills, IL)

Rust-Oleum Corporation is a worldwide leader in protective paints and coatings for both home and industry. We offer a wide range of products including decorative fashion paints, durable industrial roof repair coatings and, of course, our famous rust-fighting formula that started it all.

Rust-Oleum Corporation is a worldwide leader in protective paints and coatings for both home and industry. We offer a wide range of products including decorative fashion paints, durable industrial roof repair coatings and, of course, our famous rust-fighting formula that started it all. Now, as we look to the future, our Cleaners platform is a top priority. We are adding to our team to support our growth ambitions for our core household cleaning brands: Mean Green, Krud Kutter, Concrobium and Moldex. This role provides the opportunity to drive assigned brands in the consumer cleaning segment.

Job Purpose

Develop and execute innovative marketing strategies to promote spray paint product line. Your responsibilities include market research, product positioning, go-to-market planning, and performance analysis to drive product success and customer engagement, with a strong emphasis on fostering innovation in product offerings and marketing approaches. This role requires a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to effectively promote Rust-Oleum's spray paint products and drive market growth

This role is a hybrid setup (2 days onsite and 3 days remote/week) in Vernon Hills, IL.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy for segment, identifying new opportunities for product development and market expansion.
• Work closely with sales teams to provide them with the tools and information needed to effectively sell innovative spray paint products. Develop sales materials, presentations, and training programs.
• Collaborate with various departments, including R&D, sales, and supply chain, to ensure alignment and successful execution of innovation initiatives.
• Prioritize, strategize, design, develop, launch, and support product campaigns.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and threats.
• Create exceptional user experiences, working with our Creative department visually appealing interfaces with target audience.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success.
• Direct market research and market intelligence gathering to ensure understanding of applications, users, competition and market trends. Analyze and leverage data and insights to develop and formulate category and product recommendations.
• Conduct early-stage opportunity assessment, ideation and concept development for a new product opportunity from ideation to market launch.
• Manage product portfolio to develop and promote new products and optimize and grow existing product lines.
• Monitor and analyze the competitive landscape, business developments and market trends to identify strategic opportunities and ensure product offering is properly positioned.
• Developing strategic plans and innovating roadmaps for key product segments.
• Driving new product development activities through Stage-Gate product management and market research.
• Ensuring profitability within the assigned market segments, including supporting the product commercialization process.
• Define and develop product positioning, messaging, feature specifications, unique selling proposition and pricing strategies.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• 6 years of relevant Product, Product Development or Brand experience (consumer packaged good preferred).
• Strong new product development experience required.
• Exhibit understanding of the product commercialization process and documentation and information sharing needs and protocols.
• Exhibit understanding of retail, independent paint/hardware, and distribution business models.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Passionate problem solver and creative thinker, with ability to pitch new ideas and be open to feedback.
• Analytic and strategic thinking skills, with ability to digest complex information and make data-driven decisions.
• Team player who will work well on cross-functional teams including Operations, Finance, Sales, Research & Development, Customer Service, etc.
• Confident public speaker with the ability to influence senior level management.
• Travel is approximately 5% annually for customer presentations, trade shows, etc.
  
  

From big benefits to small, we take care of our associates! After 30 days of employment, you will be eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, life, disability and business travel insurance, flexible spending accounts, EAP, stock purchases and vacation/sick days/parental leave.

We also offer a 401(k) plan after three months of employment. Associates are vested in the RPM Pension plan after completing five years of service. Rust-Oleum offers 9.5 paid holidays and two floating holidays per year. You are also eligible to earn three weeks of vacation on an annualized basis.

Rust-Oleum is an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.