Product Manager - Small Paints

Rust-Oleum • Vernon Hills, IL

2d • $85,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Rust-Oleum Corporation is hiring a Product Manager for its Small Project Paints segment. The role develops and implements innovation strategies, manages the product portfolio, and guides new products from opportunity assessment and concept development through commercialization and launch. The Product Manager uses market research, competitive analysis, and data to shape product recommendations, positioning, messaging, specifications, pricing, and strategic roadmaps. The position works cross-functionally with teams including R&D, sales, supply chain, operations, finance, and customer service, and supports sales with materials, presentations, and training. The role is based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, in a hybrid work environment, reports to the Director of Product Marketing, and involves approximately 5% annual travel for customer presentations and trade shows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of relevant product, product-development, or brand experience.
• Strong new-product-development experience.
• Understanding of product commercialization processes and related documentation and information-sharing needs and protocols.
• Understanding of retail, independent paint and hardware, and distribution business models.
• Strong project-management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Problem-solving and creative-thinking abilities, including pitching new ideas and responding to feedback.
• Analytical and strategic-thinking skills, including the ability to digest complex information and make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to work effectively on cross-functional teams, including Operations, Finance, Sales, Research & Development, and Customer Service.
• Confident public-speaking skills and ability to influence senior-level management.
• Willingness to travel approximately 5% annually for customer presentations, trade shows, and similar activities.

Nice To Haves

• Consumer packaged goods experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy for the segment, identifying product-development and market-expansion opportunities.
• Provide sales teams with tools and information to sell innovative spray paint products, including sales materials, presentations, and training programs.
• Collaborate with R&D, sales, supply chain, and other departments to align and execute innovation initiatives.
• Prioritize, strategize, design, develop, launch, and support product campaigns.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and threats.
• Work with the Creative department to create visually appealing interfaces and exceptional user experiences for the target audience.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to measure product success.
• Direct market research and market-intelligence gathering to understand applications, users, competitors, and market trends; analyze insights to formulate category and product recommendations.
• Conduct early-stage opportunity assessment, ideation, and concept development for new products from ideation through market launch.
• Manage the product portfolio by developing and promoting new products and optimizing and growing existing product lines.
• Monitor the competitive landscape, business developments, and market trends to identify strategic opportunities and ensure products are properly positioned.
• Develop strategic plans and innovation roadmaps for key product segments.
• Drive new-product development through Stage-Gate product management and market research.
• Support product commercialization and ensure profitability within assigned market segments.
• Define and develop product positioning, messaging, feature specifications, unique selling propositions, and pricing strategies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, disability, and business travel insurance, available after 30 days of employment.
• Flexible spending accounts and an employee assistance program.
• Stock purchases.
• Vacation, sick days, and parental leave.
• 401(k) plan after three months of employment, with a company match.
• Eligibility for the RPM Pension plan after five years of service.
• Nine paid holidays and two floating holidays per year.
• Three weeks of vacation on an annualized basis.
• Bonus eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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