Global Director of Product Line Management

Valvoline Global•Cincinnati, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Global Director of Product Line Management leads Valvoline Global Operations’ Product Line Management team and builds a global team that connects business units with the supply chain. The role establishes a collaborative environment with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and uses global processes developed across Product Strategy & Management, Pricing & Analytics, Supply Chain Planning, and Procurement. The leader implements consistent global processes across four core PLM pillars: product and portfolio costing, product profitability, profit improvement opportunities, and product rationalization. The position is also the subject matter expert on how the team and its processes interact with SAP, and continually improves processes to create global efficiencies, improve margins, and accelerate growth. The role regularly connects with the Valvoline Leadership Team, including the CEO, regional leaders, COO, CFO, and Chief Digital & Brand Officer, and collaborates with regional Marketing Directors, Supply Chain, R&D, Global Equity, and Global Pricing. The position is based on-site four days per week, Monday through Thursday. Valvoline Global’s new headquarters is planned to open in downtown Cincinnati in spring 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
5–10 years of experience in product line management, product costing, pricing, profitability, supply chain, finance, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing product costing, profitability, margin management, or portfolio management processes.
Strong understanding of product costs, supplier inputs, sourcing decisions, inventory, COGS, supply chain tradeoffs, and profitability drivers.
Experience partnering with Finance, Procurement, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and regional or global leadership teams.
Ability to analyze complex data, identify cost and margin opportunities, and translate findings into clear recommendations and corrective actions.
Experience managing product portfolios, including SKU rationalization, product lifecycle management, obsolete inventory, and portfolio optimization.
Strategic thinking and ability to connect product, supply chain, financial, and commercial decisions to broader business objectives.
Ability to lead through influence and build alignment across global, regional, and cross-functional teams.
Ability to understand broader business context, consider long-term opportunities, risks, and implications, connect priorities to organizational goals, and develop solutions that support sustainable growth.
Experience managing, coaching, and developing direct reports or project team members, including setting goals and creating development plans.
Humility, a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Ability to evaluate information, identify trends and insights, and use data to understand issues and develop practical solutions.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or professional certification.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a global Product Line Management team that serves as a conduit between business units and the supply chain, with clear roles, responsibilities, and collaborative processes.
Implement a global product and portfolio costing process so regional leadership can understand product costs; work with Procurement and Operations on supplier-related cost changes and supply chain shifts; and create a global LE process with the PS&M Analyst and Finance team.
Own global product costing, including high-impact bids and new materials; implement an appropriate regional high-impact bid process and ensure cross-functional awareness and timely, complete documentation.
Support development of global innovation master plans by product line; determine costs for new materials and help develop supply chains that support fill rates while controlling inventory and COGS.
Work with global strategy and pricing teams to implement product profitability processes incorporating supply chain and margin optimization; establish target margins by product line and region; monitor and report portfolio margin changes; and alert regional leadership monthly to items outside target margins with recommended corrective actions.
Develop the Margin Council to strengthen connections with business units and facilitate monthly margin enhancement; identify supply chain opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and increase profitability.
Implement global SKU rationalization and product lifecycle management; monitor and recommend product lifecycles; conduct annual SKU rationalization; track obsolete products; and use data to develop strategic paths for SKUs needing improvement.
Work with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Channel Marketing on product lifecycles that reduce inventory and improve profitability.
Champion the regional New Solutions Development process, establish disciplined collaboration and clear leadership communication, and work with the global team to apply project management best practices and ensure projects and products align with strategy.
Support regional governance, project prioritization, and post-audit analysis in accordance with global processes.
Coach and develop team members; manage international direct reports; set annual goals and development plans; and ensure the global team follows project management processes, including clear agendas, timelines, and meeting recaps.
Respond to escalated project issues that impede delivery and coordinate solutions.
Maintain regular connections with Valvoline Leadership Team members and collaborate with regional Marketing Directors, Supply Chain, R&D, Global Equity, and Global Pricing.