Product Manager

Job Description:

E. H. Wachs, an Illinois Tool Works Company, is a recognized world leader in the manufacture and distribution of field machining and valve exercising equipment. www.ehwachs.com.

Join us as a Product Manager and play a pivotal role in elevating product excellence from the ground up. In this dynamic onsite position located in Lincolnshire, IL, you will play a key role in advancing our product portfolio, shaping strategic marketing initiatives, and turning customer insights into real solutions. You'll collaborate closely with Marketing, Engineering, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to identify customer needs, shape product roadmaps, and drive product success. You'll also support the creation of compelling content and executing marketing efforts to deliver impactful launches and sustained engagement.

If you're a proactive, analytical problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced industrial setting, this is your opportunity to make a measurable impact.

How you will make an impact

Product Management & Strategy

• Lead product lifecycle management from ideation to end-of-life using ITW's new product development (NPD) and 80/20 principles.
• Develop and execute product strategies and roadmaps aligned with business goals.
• Conduct market research and VOC to identify customer needs, market trends, and competitive positioning, including developing an understanding of end-user businesses and unmet needs.
• Initiate and manage product updates and new product introductions, while driving product line simplification and strategic pricing decisions.
• Collaborate with engineering to define product specifications and support development.
• Evaluate and report on product performance, including sales volume, margins, and market share.

Marketing & Content Support

• Assist in creating product launch materials and marketing collateral.
• Contribute to messaging, value propositions, and technical documentation.
• Support trade shows, events, and customer visits as needed.
• Help maintain product content across digital platforms and internal systems.

What you need to do to be successful in this role

• Cross Functional Communication- Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to build productive relationships, collaborate, and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Strong ability to work with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and operations. Communicate clearly with internal teams, suppliers, and end-users to resolve issues quickly.
• Organization Skills- Manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiative & Ownership- Act as a self-starter who can work independently, learn quickly, and drive projects forward.
• Technical Aptitude- Understanding of mechanical concepts with knowledge of Product Management within industrial markets, or industrial manufacturing. Knowledge of welding preparation is a plus but not required.
• Adaptability- Navigate changing priorities, unexpected challenges, and evolving customer needs with confidence.
• Presentation & Influence- Deliver clear, impactful presentations to internal stakeholders and external audiences.
• Full Product Life-Cycle Management- Demonstrated experience managing the full product life cycle, including new product development, competitive and regulatory analysis, from customer insights through product discontinuation.
• Marketing Collaboration- Contribute to content creation, digital marketing strategies, and marketing execution to support product launches and campaigns.
• Data Analysis: Be analytical, inquisitive, and crisp in explaining the story behind the numbers and a strong ability to understand macro and micro trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• 3-5 years of product management or marketing experience, preferably within industrial manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) is required. Advanced Excel skills and demonstrated experience with pulling and analyzing data from ERP and CRM systems to support product decisions is required.
• Must be available for up to 25% travel within the United States and Canada for customer visits, supplier meetings, and industry events.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to work at a computer for extended periods; sit; stand; walk; use hands to type, finger, handle, control, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds.

Additional Information:

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.

Compensation Information:

The annual base salary range for this position is $85,000 - $107,000 annually. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. The company considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as geographic location, market, and business considerations.

We believe our people are our greatest asset. That's why we invest in creating an environment where you can thrive-both personally and professionally.  For more details, visit our Benefits page.

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.