Product Manager

Product Manager

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Kohler Co. is looking for an experienced Product Manager with exceptional critical thinking skills and a passion for innovation to lead a category within our Category Strategy organization. You will be joining a strong global brand committed to living on the leading edge in design and technology of product and process. 

The Product Manager owns the strategic direction and financial performance of a product category. You will define the roadmap, decide what we build and what we retire, lead the new product development pipeline that drives vitality and growth, and own the commercial outcome. Sitting at the center of product creation, this highly cross-functional role turns customer insight into products that elevate everyday experiences for consumers while strengthening our ability to win in the market. 

You will partner closely with sourcing, supply chain, engineering, industrial design, channel marketing, sales, and finance to bring Kohler’s legacy of design, innovation, and luxury to life—shaping products that feel distinctive, meaningful, and desirable in the home.  

The ideal candidate leads with curiosity and creative thinking, displays initiative to find solutions, works effectively with all levels of the organization, and sets a strong example through work product, energy, attitude, and technical skill. 

What You'll Do 

Category Strategy and Product Ownership 

• Own the strategic direction of the category, translating business objectives into a product portfolio that wins with customers and consumers. 
• Develop and own the five-year product and innovation roadmap, along with the product attribute framework that defines how the portfolio is positioned and tiered. 
• Scope complex projects and multi-product programs independently, setting clear customer requirements, specifications, price positioning, and cost targets. 
• Decide what to create, sustain, invest in, and discontinue, managing manufacturing efficiency by leveraging platforms and common architecture. 
• Proactively manage the full portfolio and product lifecycle for the category, including line transitions, running changes, and rationalization. 
• Write and submit the documentation required to initiate and fund new product efforts. 

New Product Development and Commercialization 

• Manage a portfolio of new product development projects, fostering a culture of collaboration, communication, and accountability across the team. 
• Partner with new product development, engineering, industrial design, and operations to deliver products that live on the leading edge in design and technology, on time and on target. 
• Provide voice of the customer input throughout the development process and own the trade-off decisions between customer need, cost, timing, and feasibility. 
• Ensure robust go-to-market execution for your launches, working with Channel Marketing and Sales on positioning, pricing, merchandising, and launch readiness.   
• Serve as the internal and external focal point for resolution of product issues in the category, including quality, cost, warranty, and performance. 

Business and Financial Performance 

• Own the profit and loss for the category, including sales, margin, vitality, and working capital outcomes. 
• Own, review, and approve the unit and dollar forecast for the category, and project the financial impact of forecast, pricing, and portfolio changes. 
• Set pricing strategy for the category, balancing elasticity, cost pressure, channel integrity, and brand positioning to drive price realization and margin. 
• Contribute the demand outlook that supports the two-to-five-year capital plan. 
• Partner with Category Analysts on forecast assumptions, pricing actions, and inventory positioning for your product area, and own the resulting decisions.   

Customer, Market and Competitive Leadership 

• Gather customer insights and conduct competitive benchmarking to drive the innovation pipeline, using consumer insights tools and incorporating what you learn into decisions. 
• Maintain a complete understanding of the customer and competitive landscape, including innovation, products, pricing, market trends, and share position. 
• Serve as the category lead for key customer presentations, line reviews, training, and customer conversion efforts. 
• Lead editorial visits and interviews, trade shows, and industry events to promote the category. 
• Create and lead engaging presentations for internal and external audiences at all levels that clearly articulate product information, business strategy, data, and insights. 
• Develop relationships with customers, sales, new product development, and other stakeholders that contribute to new product and business ideas. 

Skills/Requirements

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in any field. 
• Five or more years of product management, product marketing, or category management experience with strong analytical and presentation skills. 
• Track record of owning and successfully driving strategies, completing projects, and meeting objectives. 
• Demonstrated understanding of new product development, manufacturing, forecasting, and production planning. 
• Proficiency in Excel and data visualization tools as well as AI tools. 
• Hands-on, detail oriented, energetic, and results-driven, with the judgment to make decisions and the accountability to own the outcome. 

Preferred 

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree. 
• Experience with omni-channel focused product development or marketing. 
• Experience owning a profit and loss statement and leading cross-functional teams without direct authority. 

Travel 

• Approximately 10% - 20% annually, including travel to Kohler manufacturing locations, customers, trade shows, and the market. 

CUSTOM.PAY.TRANSPARENCY

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.