Kaz, Inc., is a fast-growing, global manufacturer and marketer of durable health care and home environment products principally under the Vicks, Braun and Honeywell brand names.  Kaz is the leader in the humidification, thermometer and hot/cold therapy categories and also participates in the air purification, fan, heater and lawn & garden categories.  Kaz’ products are largely distributed through mass merchandisers and drug stores.  For more information on kaz, visit www.kaz.com.

Brand Manager – Global Category Organization

The multi-functional members of the Global Category Organization (GCO) are responsible for spearheading innovations that fuel growth for Kaz on a global basis.  It is an impartial organization that provides a disciplined, global approach to the consideration of all new product and technology possibilities in advance of Phase 1 of Kaz’s New Product Development Process.

The Brand Manager - GCO will manage innovation and new product development within specified categories on a global basis.  S/He will plan, organize, direct, and provide leadership cross-functionally to achieve long-range business development objectives.  The Brand Manager – GCO may be asked to engage in special projects from time to time.  This position reports into the VP Marketing – GCO.

Responsibilities

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  Global Strategy Development:  Using inputs from the Regional Marketing Organizations, the Brand Manager – GCO will develop long-range Global Strategies for each category for which s/he is responsible, to include new product planning, a pace of innovation, brand hierarchies, recommendations for distribution expansion, and sharing of key success drivers (Commercial Initiatives).  S/he will maintain and manage a rolling 3- year Roadmap of qualified new products within the specified categories.  An ability to think broadly and consider the “big picture” is essential to this responsibility.


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  New Products:  The Brand Manager – GCO will be the “Champion” for upstream development through Phase 2 in the Kaz NPD process.  New product development will include developing product positioning, branding, required features, design direction, packaging (structure, layout, communication points), pricing, etc.  S/he will work closely in conjunction with local the Regional Marketing Organizations, Program Management, Industrial Design and R&D.  New product development will also require managing appropriate levels of consumer research, usage and R&D tests to validate each new product for launch.  A critical path for each new item will be established by the Brand Manager and tracked by the development team on each project.   Strong, hands-on development and market research experience is important to this responsibility.


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  Portfolio Management: The Brand Manager-GCO will be responsible for understanding the roles new product will play within the existing product portfolio, assuring each SKU is profitable, has a “reason for being” and is properly positioned relative to other Kaz products and competition in the marketplace.


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  Innovation Exploration:  The Brand Manager – GCO will be the key point of contact within Kaz to collect, evaluate, and make recommendations about new technologies and/or new product ideas within the specified categories.  This will involve working closely with R&D, Program Management, Industrial Design, Finance and the individual Regional Marketing Organizations to understand an opportunity’s strategic relevance, financial attractiveness and technical feasibility.  The ability to develop strong working relationships is critical to this role.


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  Category Reviews & Communication:  The Brand Manager-GCO will be responsible for periodic category reviews with the regions in order to (a) keep abreast of the threats & opportunities within each RMO and across the globe and to evaluate their impact on Kaz’s Global Strategy and New Product Roadmap, and (b) communicate to the broader global team about GCO initiatives and activities as well as the status of global new product programs.

Skills Required/Education Experience Needed

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  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills


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  Solid analytical skills with the ability to solve problems and develop creative solutions


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  Solid understanding of costing/pricing financial analysis and P & L management


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   Ability to think strategically at a global level, and to develop creative marketing solutions


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  Strong independent champion of ideas and highly creative marketer to consumer insights


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  New product and packaging development experience required


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   Able to manage cross-functionally and across a global organization


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  General computer skills, must have solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office


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  Bachelor’s Degree, MBA in marketing and management a plus


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  Five (5)-Seven (7) years’ marketing experience in the consumer durables/products arena


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  Experience working with and presenting to retail accounts a plus


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  Experience and skill in presenting ideas, strategy and plans to executive level teams


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  Must demonstrate accountability of assigned responsibility (ownership)


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  Strong project and time management skills, able to manage and direct multiple projects simultaneously


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  Must be comfortable making and standing behind decisions


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  External agency management oversight experience


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  Experience managing market research projects


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  Global experience a strong plus


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  Must be willing to travel both domestically and globally (est. 15% of time)

In order to be considered for this position, please submit resume with cover letter and salary requirements.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to a diverse workforce.