Classification:

Salary

Job Description:

Are you looking for a new challenge? Passionate about innovation? Want to work for a global company that values integrity, teamwork, and loyalty?

At LATICRETE International, we aim to be the leading construction brand trusted globally for high-performance tile and stone installation systems and building finishing solutions. We’ve been in business for over 65 years, family-owned for three generations, and can be found in over 100 countries. The Hartford Business Journal even named us one of Connecticut’s top family-owned companies in 2017!

We don't just make innovative, industry-leading products. Our purpose is to improve the built world and the lives of those who build it. We strive to connect with, engage with and improve the lives of our employees, our customers, our partners, and the global communities in which we operate.

We are seeking passionate and ambitious employees who want to make a difference not just within our organization, but within their communities, our industry, and the world. If that sounds like you, then what are you waiting for? Join the family and expand your horizons!

Just some of our benefits:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• 401k

• Tuition reimbursement

• 13 paid holidays in addition to paid vacation and sick time

• Flexible spending

• Life Insurance, AD&D and Supplemental Insurance

POSITION SUMMARY

Senior product management leadership position for multinational construction materials manufacturer. Responsible for the development of the organization’s strategic product vision in support of the various business strategies and aligned with company brand promises and overarching company values. Works with senior leadership, direct reports, cross-functional team members, and external vendors to direct research activities, productivity initiatives and commercialization of new products and establish and/or optimize the processes that enable these activities to be done efficiently. Oversees and directs all product sustainability and lifecycle management processes and strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Strategy (30%)

• Lead development of and execution of new product development road map for all product lines

• Coordinate global product road alignment with international Business Units

• Lead product health & safety and sustainability efforts, responsible for portfolio evolution and corporate and departmental development of measuring, reporting, improvement, and governance standards

• Core member of sustainability steering committee, representing product and installer/user

• Business case development and analysis for long term cross-functional strategy alignment

• Represent product as key member of company M&A task force & business planning team

• Lead portfolio subcategory master-planning activities

• Responsible for assessing market conditions to support company product pricing strategy

• Guide product-supporting channel strategy development and execution

• Clear definition and alignment of the vision, strategy and roadmap to the business plan

Product Development and Lifecycle Management (25%)

• Manage entire lifecycle of company’s product portfolio

• Lead company’s stage gate development activity and establishing development priorities

• Oversight of all new product commercialization and national product promotional activity

• Identify legacy product revitalization strategies

• Lead annual and ongoing product rationalization activities through analysis and continuous improvement of SKU rationalization analytic methodology and metrics

• Continuous improvement - updating and evolution of existing processes, procedures, tools, etc

• Global integration – training and education, market analysis and harmonization of standards and procedures, directing global product opportunities’ evaluation

Team Leadership (20%)

• Continuous assessment of department structure and personnel to support the evolving needs of the business

• Plan, prepare and manage annual department budget

• Lead and coach teams to and/or through professional development opportunities

• Seek out opportunities to increase team member exposure to leadership

• Provide clear, valuable guidance to align team to company objectives and leadership direction

• Encourage individual projects unsolicited by business

Research and Analytics (15%)

• Identify market trends and needs through cultivation of consumer insight and market research

• Solicit regular feedback from our distributors, contractors, and dealers to help guide internal decisions

• Collecting industry data and sales statistics, competitive analysis of products, pricing, and positioning

• Improve engagement of internal feedback channels to regularly harvest information from field sales reps

• Manage the Product Assessment Council database and improve membership metrics

• Provide guidance and training to internal teams on research methodologies and best practices

• Develop new methodologies to extract useful information from the market

Productivity / Cost Reduction (10%)

• Lead ongoing productivity opportunity identification, ranking, prioritizing and organizational communication

• Maintain cost reduction opportunity pipeline of ≥5% COGS

• Drive the delegation of cross-functional productivity opportunities into the appropriate departments and maintain tracking/reporting of status

• Develop annual marketing budget and manage all expenditures

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related concentration

• MBA preferred

• 15 years of product management and marketing experience

Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 15 years demonstrable product management experience in a matrix environment.

• Strong track record of managing and leading cross-functional teams and external resources.

• Minimum 10 years experience of consumer goods (durable or non-durable) product management and marketing experience.

• Strong track record of managing and leading cross-functional teams and external resources.

• Expertise in and ability to coach teams on market research techniques including voice of customer, surveys, focus groups

• Software proficiency: Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project), Outlook.

• Strong project management/prioritization skills: experience using project management software, developing and leveraging spreadsheets/databases to maintain and communicate opportunity metrics.

• Speed and efficiency: the ability to produce quality work within strict deadlines.

• Ability to manage and negotiate external vendors / clients etc.

• Strong business & financial metric acumen- highly skilled in data analytics

• Proven record of coordinating product development activities with international entities/JV’s and partners

• Team player who is also decisive and strong willed – strong leadership qualities.

• Exceptional time management and organizational skills.

• Hands on work style.

• Ability to delegate effectively & work autonomously, with minimal supervision.

• Team cooperation - maintain positive, cooperative attitude with all employees of LATICRETE and all customers.

• Dedication, commitment and flexibility: ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Self-starter: able to work independently, possess excellent communication skills and passion to motivate others.

• Fluent in English. Preference given for fluency in second language.

Travel requirement:

• Up to 40%, domestic and international.

• Must have or be able to obtain a passport.