Product Manager-Innovation

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

As a Product Manager – Innovation, the leader is responsible for creating incremental and sustainable growth, building future capabilities, and driving a culture of innovation that complements Kohler’s core businesses. They will need to “think big and act small” by supporting transformational innovation initiatives in a lean environment from idea to execution. This role is accountable for developing and leading initiatives from conception of challenges, management of programs, and execution of projects, working in close collaboration with senior leadership, the strategy team, cross-functional product development teams, and marketing with both speed and agility. The candidate should be entrepreneurial with solid problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation and data-driven decisions.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategy

• Design and lead a multi-year pipeline of challenges that fit strategic and divisional business objectives. This pipeline will include a balance of breakthrough innovation challenges, non-product ideation, problem solving, eliminating cost/waste and refine ways of working.

• Design and lead Open Innovation initiatives.

• Design & refine execution process of the challenges: From kick-off through pitch day AND from selection to launch.

• Analysis and presentation of partnering opportunities & innovation areas to the executive leadership team.

• Design a strategic approach in staffing of the ideas and plan the resources.

Execution

• Lead, coach, and drive the generation of commercially and financially viable innovation ideas and prototypes in collaboration with cross functional teams, category leaders and external experts.

• Oversee timing and activities that lead up to the end of the internal accelerator program.

• Manage governance process, funds and centralized budget to execute the green-lit ideas. Ensure backfills and lead founders through the process of MVP Design “playbooks” & guidelines on how to execute “small-scale tests” and big transformational ideas.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelors’ degree required. MBA with major study in Management or Marketing preferred.

• Product or Project Management experience of 5+ years.

• Has worked and flourished in an entrepreneurial environment with proven record on building a culture of innovation across different teams and functions.

• Proven results track record (high performer).

• Extraordinary leadership skills.

• Strong General Management acumen. Possess excellent creative problem-solving skills.

Skills / Competencies

• Strong bias for action and results.

• Curiosity and ingenuity.

• Collaborative – innate ability to connect & work with a “ONE TEAM” mentality.

• Agile – an ability to adapt to change and quickly pivot.

• Courage – be brave to challenge the status quo and be decisive with limited information.

• Speed – focuses exclusively on value-added work, always looking to cut inefficiencies to drive speed.

• Consumer-Obsessed.

• Resourceful – ability to think and act as an entrepreneur.

• Ability to influence others at the highest levels.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

Hybrid in Kohler, Wisconsin 3 days per week

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-SM1

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $107,650 - $137,150. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

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.