Product Specialist

Company Description

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $16 billion. The company's seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required.

Zip-Pak, a division of ITW, is a leading supplier of resealable solutions for flexible packaging. Zip-Pak serves customers and markets around the globe, with a significant presence in developed and emerging markets offering a complete range of resealable closure services and solutions. We operate in more than 52 countries around the world with a workforce of more than 300 dedicated flexible packaging professionals.

 

Job Description

The Product Specialist will help profitably grow key products and defend key customers by developing, implementing, and driving marketing/business strategies and tactical action plans. This individual will act as the voice of customers using end-user market research insights, macro market trends, especially those related to sustainability and competitive intelligence, to effectively manage the product portfolio and drive strategic new product development for Zip-Pak’s existing product portfolio and innovation areas. In their projects, initiatives, and daily tasks, the Product Specialist will have regular interaction and collaboration with cross-functional team members from Engineering, Marketing, Commercial, and Operations. 

• Product Portfolio Management – Support Product Portfolio strategy including management of existing product mix and providing product recommendations.  Identify and participate in simplification and margin improvement efforts, working with operations and engineering.  Together with Product Manager, be responsible for product line maintenance and lifecycle monitoring, including SKU rationalization (PLS), pricing and promotion strategies, and segment analysis to optimize the product mix and financials.
• Product Value Propositionand Competitive Analysis - Define a product line’s value proposition throughout the organization, ensuring competitive product positioning.  Clearly position and communicate the value proposition of our products to commercial teams and other functions in the organization. Become a portfolio expert and conduct hands-on testing (package fitness-for-use, product performance, competitive analysis) to inform strategy.
• New Product Innovation – Support the development of the division’s product roadmap and defend strategy to capitalize on key market opportunities and drive the Customer Back Innovation (CBI) process through the cross-functional team. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Gathering voice of customers and market pain points via primary and secondary market research, leveraging the information into developing solutions and product specifications.
  • Driving new product rollout efforts including forecasting volumes, designing market tests, planning internal training, as well as communication plans. 
  • Conducting activities related to the development of business cases for new product innovation and enhancements.
• Market Landscape Intelligence – Develop a full understanding of the market dynamics including regulatory, customer, competitive, and end-user trends.  Navigate sustainability-related initiatives and identify and support areas for Zip Pak to engage in strategic partnerships.  Report out to and inform internal stakeholders as needed to align the business.

Qualifications

Position Skills and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering, Science, or Related.
• 1-3 years of relevant new product development, project management, or product marketing experience.
• Clear-thinker, good listener, strong collaborator, and problem-solver.
• Natural tendency to be curious, positive, creative, and growth-oriented.
• Aptitude for Business Strategy and Marketing.
• Willing and able to be hands-on for technical product and package evaluation.
• Strong team/project management, communications, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in and/or lead cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 20% is required.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Packaging industry knowledge and experience, with interest in sustainability and sustainable product development

Additional Information

ITW offers its employees a path for advancement, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to help employees care for themselves, their families, and their futures.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW 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.
We do not accept unsolicited resumes. To be considered an applicant, please apply online to a specific job posting.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the online application system process due to your disability, please click here for information on how to contact us directly.

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.  

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.