Vice President

JOB PURPOSE:

The Vice President User & Market Insights and Category Management will be responsible for all user research, market insights and category management efforts at Rust-Oleum for a diverse set of brands across multiple product platforms. This individual will be the voice of the user and owns the collection and synthesis of market and end-user intelligence. The person in this key leadership role will be accountable for collaborating with Product Management and other areas of the business to assess and address information needs, and for leading, analyzing, and synthesizing company, consumer, and marketplace learning.

The work of the User & Market Insights and Category Management function will directly influence business strategy, product and value proposition design, pricing, media investments, in-store assortment, go to market strategy, among other strategic elements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overall - Investigate opportunities that drive business results by uncovering market, brand, channel, and end-user trends working with internal and external teams / agencies.  Work closely with Product Management, Sales, R&D, and other cross-functional teams that impact the user experience journey to create a research plan that identifies and addresses key knowledge gaps in end-users and markets. Lead insights & category management initiatives and analysis in support of critical strategic planning activities to support the growth and profitability of Rust-Oleum with goal to deliver 10%+ CAGR or 3X market pace (whichever is greater) for each business segment and platform.
• Market Insights - Responsible for overall market insights and intelligence activities to inform the corporate and marketing strategy, planning, and portfolio decisions. These decisions are informed via an innate understanding of macro market, industry, category and competitive forces.  This is done through the compilation of internal and external data sources, both ongoing and adhoc, then interpreting these and their potential impact on strategy and planned tactics.
• User Insights – Own qualitative and quantitative user research at Rust-Oleum, including User Segmentation, Brand Positioning, Macro Trends, etc. The research conducted will provide a clear understanding of end-user needs, wants, problems, likes and dislikes with respect to target home improvement and professional applications, as well as educate the team on research best practices.
• Business Insights – Create a clearly defined market intelligence plan. Create actionable business insights internally and externally; internally this includes assessing sales performance of our products at retail in a timely and factual manner; externally, you’ll provide a value-added service to retailers by positioning Rust-Oleum as the vendor of choice.
• POS Data - Capture & analyze POS scanner data from sources such as NPD, Epicor, Retail Links, audits & surveys, customer data, etc. to identify customer opportunities.
• Merchandising / Category Management – Provide analysis and shopper-driven recommendations as part of business reviews, assortment & space optimization, and trade promotions.
• Insights Cornerstone – Connect the dots across multiple sources of data and information to generate insight and make meaningful recommendations that drive competitive advantage and profitable growth.  Help ensure insight is woven throughout brand strategy, portfolio & pricing optimization, and innovation initiatives and is shared with the broader organization to support decision making.  Develop a one view insight data base with associated dashboards and KPI’s that is shared across the organization. Present insights to internal teams and key strategic retail accounts.
• Leadership – Lead, manage and develop team of User & Market Insights and Category Management reports and cross-functional teams.
• Cross Functional Support - Work closely with Product Management to identify new categories and channels for growth.  Support projects with research, analysis and merchandising throughout all phases of the platform development, launch and promotional cycles. Support Stage-Gate process to improve speed, efficiencies, cross collaboration, and future success of program launches.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Research, Communications, Design, Behavioral Research or User Research.
• 10 years' experience and strong understanding of user insight and market research with 5+ years’ experience in category management.
• Consumer Packaged Goods and/or Hardware & Home Improvement industry experience.
• Strong storytelling skills and business acumen to simplify large and complex data into compelling recommendations.
• Excellent knowledge of insight data collection methods (quantitative and qualitative).
• Ability to interpret large amounts of data and to craft stories from data.
• Thinks strategically and creatively, has deep curiosity that drives investigation.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to utilize data and analytics to make informed business decisions; ability to translate data into meaningful information for Rust-Oleum and customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, able to present research results to all levels of management.
• Confident presenter with a knack for presenting to various audiences and adjusting content appropriately.
• Provides the necessary critical thinking to determine necessary approaches to get things done. Offers good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work.
• Enjoys working hard and is full of energy, steadfastly pushes self and others for results. Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully and is consistently a top performer.
• Ability to act independently in the supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned personnel.
• Significant record of consistent accomplishment and outstanding results.
• Ability to juggle, structure and lead complex projects, monitor progress against key milestones and deliver on time and on budget.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and ERP Systems (SAP, Business Objects, etc.).  Knowledge of data management, with experience using JDA space management software preferred.
• There is 10% travel (local, regional, and national) associated with this position.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS

• Technical Understanding & Business Acumen: Knows the business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills to perform the job at a high level. Understands various types of business propositions and how the business operates. Learn new methods and technologies easily.
• Learning Agility: Learns quickly when facing new problems. Is a relentless and versatile learner and is open to change. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks and can quickly discern the underlying structure of anything.
• Strategic Agility:  See ahead clearly and can anticipate future consequences and trends.  Is future oriented and offers broad knowledge and perspective.  Can scenario plan possibilities and outcomes.   
• Leadership:  Provides the essential critical thinking to determine the necessary approaches to get things done.  Offers good judgement about which creative ideas and suggestions will work; can facilitate effective brainstorming, can project how potential ideas could play out in the marketplace. 
• Create New & Different: Ability to recognize the next great breakthrough. Is creative, a visionary, and can create and bring exciting ideas to market.
• Action Oriented:  Enjoys working hard and is full of energy, steadfastly pushing self and other for results.  Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully and is consistently a top performer. 
• Effective project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills to all levels of the organization. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  Is clear, concise, and persuasive.  Experience creating and presenting business proposals, handling objections, and overcoming obstacles.
• Strong attention to detail; strong multi-tasking ability as well as ability to manage deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
• Self-motivated and proactive individual who strives for excellence and continuous improvement.
• Cross functional leadership and teamwork.  Self-confident, verbalizes problem solving skills, demonstrates initiative, manages, and motivates team. 
• Integrity and Trust: Is widely trusted, is seen as direct, truthful and can make a case in an appropriate and helpful manner.
• Must have a can-do attitude and the desire to go above and beyond in all you do!