Business Unit Manager

Job Description:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 250 global multi-industry manufacturing leader with revenue of $16 billion in 2025. 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. ITW’s approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the company’s decentralized and entrepreneurial culture.

From state-of-the-art dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators in restaurants and hotels, to automobile components inside vehicles all over the world ... the products we manufacture and the solutions we design are all around us. The buildings where we live and work are built with ITW construction and welding products, and our ITW test & measurement solutions help to ensure the quality and safety of millions of products.

With gross revenues near $250 million, Traulsen is proud to be known as the premier name in refrigeration for the foodservice market since its founding in 1938. We provide professional expertise and high-quality equipment for savvy food service customers. Every Traulsen product is engineered, fabricated, assembled, and tested at our facilities in Fort Worth, Texas.

As Traulsen’s newest full line of commercial refrigeration, C-Series was launched in 2020 to provide operators with reliable, long-lasting refrigeration solutions at an accessible price point. Designed for value-conscious customers, the C-Series combines trusted performance with affordability. 

TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE

Our total rewards package is broad and offers comprehensive support from health and wellness to retirement and financial stability. For more details see https://www.itw.com/careers/benefits-compensation/

POSITION SUMMARY

The Business Unit Manager is responsible for the overall performance, growth, and profitability of a commercial refrigeration business segment generating approximately $13 million in annual revenue across two production lines. This role provides leadership for approximately 25 employees, including four exempt team members, and is accountable for achieving strategic, operational, and financial objectives.

The Business Unit Manager leads the development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of products and services within the commercial refrigeration market. Key responsibilities include market assessment, strategic business planning, product roadmap development, product requirements definition, product portfolio management, and the execution of go-to-market strategies that drive profitable growth and market share expansion.

Working collaboratively across Operations, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and other business functions, this leader ensures alignment between customer needs, business goals, and product development initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess a unique combination of business acumen, technical expertise, strategic vision, and executional excellence, with a demonstrated ability to identify growth opportunities and deliver measurable results.

This position reports directly to the Vice President and General Manager, North America Refrigeration.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute strategic expertise, leadership, and functional insight consistent with demonstrated career experience, as a full member of the Traulsen Division Leadership Team (DLT).

• Champion a culture of safety by ensuring compliance with all safety policies and procedures and proactively addressing unsafe conditions and behaviors.

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key customers, including dealers, consultants, and national accounts, to develop strategies that drive profitable revenue growth and customer satisfaction.

• Own the overall P&L performance of the C-Series product portfolio and develop go-to-market strategies aligned with company growth objectives.

• Develop and execute long-term business strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth, profitability, and market share gains in targeted markets.

• Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive accountability and ensure achievement of business objectives.

• Partner closely with other FEG Foodservice and Food Retail business units to develop and execute coordinated go-to-market strategies that support enterprise growth initiatives.

• Lead product portfolio strategy, including market assessment, product roadmap development, new product introductions, pricing strategies, and product lifecycle management.

• Identify and evaluate market trends, competitive activity, and customer needs to uncover opportunities for growth and innovation.

• Develop and coach direct reports through regular performance feedback, annual goal setting, and individual development planning consistent with ITW Talent Management principles.

• Foster a high-performance culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.

• Demonstrate and champion ITW values by acting with integrity and trust, operating with simplicity, treating others with respect, and embracing shared risks and opportunities.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Marketing, or a related field.

• Eight to ten years of progressive business leadership experience, including roles with increasing responsibility across manufacturing, sales, marketing, product management, finance, and/or business development.

• Demonstrated success managing business performance and executing growth strategies in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Strong understanding of the ITW Business Model, 80/20 principles, ITW Toolbox, and Customer-Back Innovation methodology.

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans that deliver profitable growth and increased market share.

• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and influencing skills with the ability to drive results across cross-functional teams.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial management capabilities, including business planning, forecasting, and performance analysis.

• Ability to navigate complex business environments, identify priorities, and simplify strategic decision-making.

• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to translate market insights into actionable business opportunities.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or related advanced degree.

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Direct P&L ownership and budget management experience.

• Product management, business development, or commercial leadership experience.

• Experience leading new product development, commercialization, and market expansion initiatives.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee will:

• Operate common office equipment, i.e. PC, phone, copier, printer, fax

• Regularly required to sit or stand using computers and various communication devices

• Occasionally required to lift less than 20 pounds

Working Conditions:

• Work in a climate-controlled office environment.

• Occasional exposure to factory and warehouse environments.

Hours of Work:

• Monday – Friday, 8 hours per day with flex starting times.

• Infrequent weekend work based on business needs.

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.