Product Manager - Small Paints

Rust-Oleum; Vernon Hills (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Stock purchases

Job summary

Rust-Oleum seeks a Product Manager for Small Project Paints in Vernon Hills, IL. The role blends product development, strategy, and cross-functional leadership to drive growth across consumer and industrial segments.

You will own innovation roadmaps, conduct market analyses, and partner with R&D, sales and operations to launch profitable product campaigns. Hybrid work, travel ~5%, and a focus on consumer paint categories define the opportunity.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience with commercialization processes and market analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an innovation strategy for segment and opportunities.
• Collaborate with sales to develop tools, materials, and training for innovative spray paint products.
• Work with R&D, sales, and supply chain to align and execute initiatives.
• Prioritize, design, launch, and support product campaigns.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and threats.
• Define product positioning, messaging, features, pricing, and USP.
• Monitor KPIs and profitability within assigned segments.

Skills

New product development

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Public speaking

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Product Manager, Small Project Paints

Location: Vernon Hills, IL (Hybrid)

Department: Product

Reports To: Director of Product Marketing

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 and finishes, durable industrial, roof repair, and flooring coatings and, of course, our famous rust-fighting formula that started it all.

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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $125,0000, bonus eligible

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 and offer a company match.Associates are vested in the RPM Pension plan after completing five years of service.Rust-Oleum offers nine 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.