Director of Strategy and Transformation

Kele • Bartlett, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Strategy and Transformation leads major strategic initiatives and helps drive Kele’s business value creation plan. Reporting to the EVP of Strategy & Transformation, this role is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and combines strategy development with hands-on execution. The Director evaluates strategic alternatives, develops plans, leads workstreams, and drives financial results across commercial, operational, finance, and people functions.

The role leads development and execution of Kele’s multi-year product and category strategy, including growth priorities, portfolio differentiation, market positioning, supplier strategy, and investment priorities. It also supports the broader transformation program through governance, execution tracking, performance measurement, executive reporting, and benefits realization. Experience in pricing and distribution is highly valued; exposure to industrials is preferred but not required.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of professional experience in consulting, corporate strategy, operations, general management, or a related field; direct P&L ownership as a GM, President, or owner-operator is also valued.
• University degree required; a bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field is preferred, with equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and act on critical value levers.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and tactical project-execution levels.
• Operational background with a strong focus on change management and process or technology.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen, including the ability to translate market, supplier, and category data into portfolio, pricing, and investment decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to work with complex financial models and large datasets.
• Strong project management and execution skills.
• Strong conceptual problem-solving skills.
• Supplier negotiation, cross-functional influence, and ability to present business cases to executive leadership.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with ability to prioritize effectively and lead through structure and process in a fast-paced, small-team environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to influence and manage stakeholders at all levels.
• Friendly, engaging, collaborative approach and ability to foster cooperation with people at all levels.
• Integrity, exceptional work ethic, and dependability in overseeing highly confidential information.
• Keen commercial acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and self-starting approach focused on high standards.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to handle materials and keyboard.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 50%.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in pricing and distribution.
• Exposure to industrials.
• Experience working within portfolio operations at a private equity firm or serving private equity clients.
• Experience with project management tools such as Asana or Jira.
• Advanced qualifications in business, operations, finance, or another business-related program, such as an MBA.
• Working knowledge of Building Automation Systems products and applications, or ability to acquire it quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of Kele’s multi-year product and category strategy, including growth priorities, portfolio differentiation, market positioning, supplier strategy, and investment priorities.
• Partner with leadership to identify, evaluate, and prioritize strategic growth and transformation opportunities aligned with long-term objectives.
• Conduct market analysis, competitive assessments, and financial modeling to support strategic decisions and business cases.
• Support multi-year strategic plans, including financial projections, resource requirements, and risk assessments.
• Support the EVP of Strategy & Transformation in driving the transformation program and managing governance structures, operating rhythms, and accountability frameworks.
• Track initiative progress, flag risks, and ensure initiative owners meet commitments and timelines.
• Lead cross-functional initiative teams, provide direction, remove obstacles, and keep initiatives on track against objectives and timelines.
• Create strategic deliverables in partnership with senior business leaders.
• Maintain program documentation, including initiative charters, project plans, and interdependency maps.
• Design and implement performance tracking systems and dashboards for initiative progress, financial impact, and value realization.
• Provide executive team and board updates on program status, milestones, risks, and outcomes.
• Quantify and communicate transformation initiatives’ financial and operational impact.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and support sustained benefits realization.
• Work with the Product Management and Product Application Manager team to acquire working knowledge of Building Automation Systems products and applications as needed.
• Be open to substantial travel, up to approximately 50%.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• HSA and FSA accounts for medical and dependent care
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4% and immediate vesting
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life coverage available for employees and dependents
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid maternity leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director