Innovation Marketing Manager

Company Description

ITW (Illinois Tool Works) is a Fortune 200 company and is one of the world's leading diversified manufacturers of specialized industrial equipment, automotive components, consumables, and related service businesses. ITW businesses serve local customers and markets around the globe, with operations in 55 countries and an employee base of more than 60,000 women and men who adhere to the highest ethical standards. These talented individuals, many of whom have specialized engineering or scientific expertise, contribute to our global leadership in innovation. We are proud of our broad portfolio of over 21,000 granted and pending patents. 

The Smart Components Division is a business group within ITW’s Automotive segment with manufacturing locations in North America. Our Smart Component products are made up of housing and doors, innovative Capless solutions, and charge ports for major OEMs around the world. 

Job Description

The Innovation Manager of Smart Components NA will be charged as one of ITW Automotive’s subject matter experts on the entire ecosystem evolving around electric vehicles, with a specific focus on implications to smart components such as actuated and illuminated charge ports, access systems doors and trunk being actuated, illuminated and connected for today and tomorrow’s electric vehicles. 

With deep understanding of the engineering and the ecosystem around EV vehicles, including charging and access (inc. electronics), the Innovation Manager will be responsible for developing market and technical intelligence, and generating strategic implications and roadmaps for advanced smart components to provide the business with actionable strategic guidance on “where to play” and “where to invest”. 

Working across divisions as an EV market & technology expert, the job holder will be responsible for providing regular market and technology trend analysis and quantified turnover estimate deep dives, by establishing a standard process of systematic monitoring of latest industry and competitive technology solutions in EV Segment. Strong coordination and collaboration with Innovation, Sales & Engineering and Supply Chain is necessary to gather bottom-up intelligence and triangulate with the other sources and facilitate across divisions to generate an overarching view of EV ecosystem for charging and access evolution across the automotive segment globally.

The Innovation Manager will be also responsible for identifying and evaluating new smart components trends e.g. automated sensor cover, within the EV systems, feeding into ITW Innovation Pipeline. Utilizing a range of market research, simulation studies, desktop research, data from consortiums, and collaborative engineering projects (both internal and external), the job holder will be responsible to develop and maintain close contacts with research institutions, labs, automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, particularly regarding advanced development and future evolution of vehicle system integration and smart component solutions. 

The Innovation Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the evolution of the next generation of smart component solutions and enabling ITW Automotive segment’s sustainable future growth in EV industry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

• Identifies and evaluates new market and product opportunities through observed end user needs, translating them into viable business offerings. Closely monitors the industry and competitive landscape.
• Deploys full range of marketing research tools/techniques to develop a deep understanding of end user pains, trends and needs including the development of end user segmentation behavioral profiles.
• Work with sales team to develop value propositions which translate into strategic value based selling techniques for profitable growth
• Exceed financial targets by utilizing ITW Toolbox philosophies and other key metrics to manage an optimized product portfolio.
• Champions new product development strategies and execution of stage gate deliverables including the creation of new product business plans through collaboration with the platform Innovation teams, sales & engineering, and manufacturing/supply chain.
• Delivers financial commitments and manages the selling story around new product launches by leading the development and execution of robust commercialization plans
• Leads and develops talent to maximize individual, team and organizational effectiveness in meeting company goals.
• Lead divisional innovation efforts in alignment with global platform and innovation organizations.
• Provide regular market and technology insights into automotive ecosystem and identify key signposts to monitor on a regular basis.
• Participation in trade show events to gain market insights and leverage customer feedback.
• Conduct & refresh regular market and technology landscape and value chain analysis inc. emerging technology evaluation related to vehicle system, integration
• Regional competitor identification and analysis in regarding to their strategy, activities & impact, latest industry, competitive products and programs.
• Business/pricing analysis and monitoring for customer requirements, supplier and competitor studies together with global market and advanced development team.
• Work closely with other regions to enhance understanding of system trends, best-practices, and technologies and share with European divisions in systematic and timely manner
• Scope/define and manage projects comprised of internal and 3rd party research resources.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing or other related field.
• 5+ years of experience creating business case studies and analysis, building market insights that drive success and product growth.
• Ability to translate marketing insights into technical implications
• Demonstrated experience in working with cross functional teams
• Strategic thinking and ability to connect the dots
• Proven ability to manage complexity and change and capability in building up a new team
• Ability to work pro-actively, result-oriented and hands-on
• Proven ability to generate respect and trust from staff and work collaboratively with colleagues to create a result driven, team-oriented environment.
• 80/20 mindset, ability to prioritize.
• Global awareness and ability to work on domestic and international project teams
• Experience to analyze and forecast quantified product turn over forecasts on available and systematically assumed data

COMPETENCIES:

• Communication: The ability to clearly convey ideas to clients, team members, and stakeholders. This includes strategic communication to create a shared vision and clarity. 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving: The ability to ask and answer the right questions at the right time. 
• Leadership: The ability to motivate employees, especially in a creative environment. 
• Teamwork: The ability to maximize the relationships and abilities of those on the team. 
• Core Marketing Skills (Technical): The ability to market products and services effectively in the digital landscape. 
• Data collection and analysis: The ability to understand competitors' website traffic and customer demographics. 
• Analytical skills: The ability to make data-driven decisions and optimize campaigns. 
• Business Acumen: The ability to align marketing efforts with the organization's overall goals. 

Additional Information

ITW Smart Components North America is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.