Vice President Product Development

Klein Tools is a dynamic, fast-paced and results driven company dedicated to launching hundreds of innovative products each year. Are you ready to make an impact?

Perks for you include:

• Paid Vacations & Holidays
• Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)
• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
• Discounts on Klein Tools products
• Education and Professional Development Assistance
  
  

Are you a seasoned leader with a knack for driving business growth through innovative product development and strategic sales and marketing initiatives? General Machine Products (GMP) is looking for a dynamic General Manager to lead our team and propel our business to new heights.

About the Role:

As the General Manager, you will hold profit and loss responsibility for GMP. Your primary mission will be to develop the business through new product development, sales, and marketing activities. You'll work closely with key consumers, channel partners, and vendors to grow our business. This role is the highest level of authority within the local business unit, overseeing the Information Technology, Human Resources, and Finance departments to support overall business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and deliver corporate strategy to maximize revenue, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Achieve new product sales as a percent of total sales through NPD roadmap planning, end user research, and tactical project execution.
• Maximize sales efficiency for the business by prioritizing and directing the direct sales team, independent sales rep agencies, and distribution partners.
• Manage the marketing communication message and creative execution to achieve sales objectives.
• Provide guidance and oversight to Finance, IT, and HR departments to ensure corporate guidelines are met along with day-to-day supervision to sustain business.
• Develop and manage sales forecasts to optimize customer responsiveness.
• Develop and manage budgets for the business unit for approval and perform to meet or exceed approved budget.
• Develop, gain approval for, and implement rolling three-year strategic plans for the business unit, including defining growth strategies, margin improvement strategies and other strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic advice to ownership and upper management to inform them of market conditions and current results based on metrics.
• Ensure company policies and legal guidelines are communicated all the way from the top down in the company and that they are followed.
• Establish and maintain key relationships with strategic customers and vendors.
• Act as the public speaker and public relations representative of the company in ways that strengthen its profile.
• Manage subordinates with responsibility for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of employees.
• Prepare for and participate in monthly staff meetings with prepared status reports.
• Perform other duties as required within the nature and level of the work.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (4 years) required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in identifying and launching new products to market.
• At least 10 years of B2B industry experience, preferably with engineered and/or capital products.
• Proven experience with Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility.
• In-depth knowledge of the new product life cycle, from conception to launch.
• Strong understanding of market changes and influencing forces.
• Expertise in Corporate Finance and performance metrics.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams with multiple direct reports.
• Strategic business development planning experience, including product management and go-to-market strategy.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Results-oriented with a sense of urgency and a drive to achieve goals.
• Proficiency in using analytics to drive decisions and achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  
  

Why Join Us?

At GMP, we offer a challenging and rewarding environment where you can leverage your skills and experience to make a significant impact. Join our team and be part of a company that values innovation, excellence, and growth.

Your main focus:

• Quality
• Customer Obsession
• Innovation
• Ownership
• Teamwork
  
  

Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us at hr@kleintools.com.

Apply Now