Category Manager

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading innovation company focused on creating smarter, safer and more beautiful homes and improving lives. Our driving purpose is that we elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too. When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team who are empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength. Explore life at Fortune Brands here

Join our team and be a part of shaping the future of outdoor spaces with innovative decking solutions with Fiberon!

As a Category Manager, you will be empowered to grow margin and profitability of our decking lines, enabling Fiberon to meet overall financial objectives. You will provide thought leadership and direction to ensure we have the right products, in the right channels, with the right pricing architecture. You will have a deep understanding of the market and target customer groups to recommend strategies that will increase market share and profitability throughout the product lifecycle.  

This role is designated as a hybrid role which includes working at least 3 days per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) in our main office located in Deerfield, IL to foster better collaboration, connection, and innovation Candidates should also be able to travel up to 25% of the time, mainly to customer locations. 

YOUR ROLE:

• Create Product Strategies, in collaboration with the Fortune Brand's COE's and functions, that align to and enable Fiberon's strategic plan, utilizing both an 80/20 and total product lifecycle management mindset. Articulate the strategy on what we should sell and innovate more or less of, and how we will position our products in the different channels to market.
• Develop and execute annual product plans to meet growth, market share and profitability goals. Manage trade-offs and balance conflicting demands to execute required initiatives to prune (exit), fix (cost, quality) and grow (marketing, product/omni channel strategy, new product introductions) the product lines profitably.
• Determine product line pricing architectures and lead annual pricing strategy to maximize our profitable share across channels. Partner with   Revenue Growth Management, sales, analytics and finance teams to understand channel dynamics & competitive positioning, set list prices, and review the revenue and profit impact of price requests/changes. 
• Influence and educate the business on how we go to market.  Provide thought leadership and direction within and outside the organization for business, technical or competitive issues on assigned product line/s.
• Develop new product/solutions/services objectives, strategies and timelines to maximize market share growth.
• Champion the “Voice of the Customer & Consumer” by developing a thorough understanding of customer and market needs / trends.  Conduct competitive analysis and gain insight to product gaps or advantages.
• Responsible for providing a regular profit review of product line results, with recommended actions, to accomplish attaining market share, revenue, and profitability targets for assigned product range.  
• Effectively communicate and explain the rationale of product line strategies, positioning, channel needs, financial impact, priorities and customer requirements. 
• Provide sales and product training support to drive revenue and profitability goals of product line.  Attend industry-related trade shows, sales meetings, and maintain trade association contacts as needed.  Maintain a general understanding of pertinent industry standards to best position assigned product line.
• Support brand marketing / marketing services with product knowledge, promotional strategies and tactics for assigned product lines.   Review content and messaging of all collateral materials and communications for assigned product lines.  Ensure the accuracy of product offering, descriptions, pricing, etc. in all company communications.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of product management experience in durable goods manufacturing, including new product launch, portfolio analysis, product life cycle management, category simplification, and management of cross-functional teams
• Experience in product development, marketing and promoting products through creative marketing processes with retail or trade partners
• Prior demonstrated success in developing product plans for retail and/or wholesale channels
• Various market segments and channel experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA in Marketing, Business or related field
• Prior P & L experience
• Experience with commercial/multi-family building products and distribution, specifications, architects and façade design a plus

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is $100,000 USD -  $130,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience,             professional achievement, business need, and location.  In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan.

At Fortune Brands Innovations, we support the overall health and wellness of our associates by offering comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates’ unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution, product discounts, flexible time off benefits (including half-day summer Fridays per policy), inclusive fertility / adoption benefits, and more. We offer numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to support inclusivity and our associates’ feeling of belonging at work.

Fortune Brands Innovation (FBIN) is built on industry-leading brands and innovation within our operating segments: water, outdoors and security. We have an impressive track record of strong financial results, market outperformance and growth, which translates into career and professional growth opportunities for associates. Please visit our website at fbin.com to learn more.

Equal Employment Opportunity

FBIN is an equal opportunity employer. FBIN evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. To support our efforts, we invite you to voluntarily share your gender, ethnicity, and veteran status. This information is confidential and helps us ensure an inclusive hiring process and improve our diversity initiatives.

Reasonable Accommodations

FBIN is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.