Illinois Tool Works

Global Product Manager

Illinois Tool Works$80K — $121K *
US-Anywhere
+ 5 other locationsRemote
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of product management experience in weighing or similar hardware industries
  • Proficient in managing global supplier relationships, especially with Chinese manufacturers
  • Strong understanding of compliance standards (NTEP, OIML, NSF, FDA)
  • Excellent communication skills across multiple stakeholder levels
  • Analytical mindset with practical problem-solving skills for technical applications
  • Ability to simplify complex technical specifications for end-users
  • Self-motivated with strong organizational skills

Responsibilities

  • Own the full product lifecycle for Brecknell Scales and associated brands
  • Conduct market analysis to identify product gaps and growth opportunities
  • Translate customer insights into actionable product requirements
  • Define product positioning and go-to-market strategies for global markets
  • Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) activities to enhance speed-to-market
  • Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing for cost competitiveness
  • Analyze performance metrics to drive product improvements and portfolio rationalization

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a hands-on product management role
  • Engagement with diverse markets including medical, veterinary, and food services
  • Involvement in global strategy with suppliers in China and India
  • Career development through direct engagement with technical sales
  • Potential for travel to international trade shows and customer sites
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Summary:

The Brecknell Scales Global Product Manager owns the full product lifecycle and global strategy for the Brecknell Scales portfolio (with additional Salter and AWTX branded products). This is a hands-on role that blends strategic product management with technical sales support and supplier relationship management.

Brecknell focuses on affordable, easy-to-use, competitively priced scales primarily sourced from China (approx. 80% of volume). Key markets include medical, veterinary, food service/POS, postal/mail/shipping, and sports fishing. The role drives revenue growth, maintains strong margins where possible through unique/owned designs, mitigates risks from market saturation and direct-from-China competition, and ensures products remain simple, compliant, and low-maintenance to minimize technical support calls.

What You Will Do:

Product Management Responsibilities:
• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for the entire Brecknell Scales portfolio - from new product discovery and market validation through launch, growth, maturity, and obsolescence/end-of-life planning.
• Conduct regular product health checks and market analysis per key sector (medical, vet, food service, postal, etc.) to identify gaps, growth opportunities, and missing product needs.
• Translate customer, sales, and market insights into clear product requirements, prioritized feature requests, and a multi-year global product roadmap.
• Act as the primary voice of the customer and global market, ensuring Brecknell products remain simple to set up and use "out of the box" while reducing technical support needs.
• Define and maintain product positioning, value propositions, and go-to-market strategies, with emphasis on globalization (harmonized SKUs across USA, UK, and ROW where possible).
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, targeting faster time-to-market (ideally 5-6 months), including pricing strategy, launch planning, sales enablement, training, brochures, manuals, datasheets, and website updates.
• Manage supplier relationships with key Chinese partners, including price negotiations, quality improvements, lead time management, new product development, and proactive identification of next-generation suppliers to maintain cost competitiveness and quality.
• Manage relationships with AWTX China, and AWTX India
• Monitor and resolve obsolescence, component shortages, inventory/SMI/stockout issues, and quality holds in collaboration with purchasing, quality, and regional teams.
• Ensure full regulatory compliance across regions (NTEP, OIML, NSF, FDA registration/listing, UPC-A/EAN-13 barcodes, safe battery shipping certificates, etc.) and manage associated annual fees/renewals.
• Analyze product performance metrics (sales, margin, adoption, returns, warranty data, customer feedback) and conduct competitive analysis to drive improvements, portfolio rationalization, and margin protection on unique/owned products (e.g., Electrosamson, 6700U, ZP and Salter products).
• Partner with marketing to keep all product documentation, images, quick-start guides (including French/Spanish), and sales tools up to date.
• Interpret technical specifications, drawings, and datasheets, translating them into clear, customer-friendly language and supporting private labeling/OEM opportunities.
• Drive initiatives for product enhancement to extend product lifecycle, keep products simple, easy to use and low-cost while adding smart features/benefits.
• Support annual pricing reviews, price list updates (including Shopify/discontinued lists), and PLS/phase-out decisions.
• Provide Technical support to customers and end users for the UK/RoW (NA tech support provided from Fairmont

Technical Sales & Commercial Responsibilities:
• Provide expert technical sales support for complex enquiries, RFQs, tenders, and end user customer applications across the Brecknell (Salter and AWTX ZP) range.
• Identify end user opportunities for strategic Brecknell (and AWTX) products, namely the 6700 series, ElectroSamson and ZP ranges. This will likely require onsite visits with the end user.
• Collaborate with sales and channel partners, to develop account plans, drive cross-selling/upselling, and accelerate new business opportunities.
• Participate in key customer visits, trade shows (e.g., Interweighing), negotiations, product demonstrations, and training sessions for sales teams, rep groups, channel partners and end user customers.
• Help resolve escalated technical issues, objections, and quality concerns to protect revenue and customer satisfaction.
• Support promotional campaigns, product launches, and initiatives aimed at increasing market penetration in medical, vet, food service, postal, industrial and fishing segments.
• Travel as required for customer engagements, supplier visits in China and India, trade shows, and internal alignment meetings.

What We Are Looking For

Proven product management experience ideally, in the weighing/scales industry, or similar technical/consumer hardware products, ideally with exposure to China-sourced supply chains.
• Strong technical competence in mechanical, electrical, and software aspects of scales and indicators, with the ability to understand and simplify complex specification and certification requirements for end users.
• Understanding of global compliance and certification requirements (NTEP, OIML, NSF, FDA, barcode systems) and experience managing supplier lifecycles, quality issues, lead times, and cost pressures.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) at all levels - with customers, distributors, internal teams (USA/UK/China), and senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, combined with practical problem-solving for customer applications and business outcomes.
• Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities, projects, and ongoing tasks (e.g., manuals updates, supplier evaluations, pricing).
• Experience or willingness to engage directly with Chinese suppliers, conduct supplier visits, and drive development projects.
• A results-oriented mindset focused on growing revenue while protecting margins, reducing time-to-market, minimizing stockouts, and keeping products simple and reliable.
• Knowledge of key Brecknell markets (medical, vet, food service, postal, industrial fishing) and distribution channels (retail, catalogues, internet, dealers, OEM) is highly desirable.

Travel to the UK, China, India, trade shows, and customer sites expected.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent

#LI-Remote

Compensation Information:

$80,800 - $121,200

About Illinois Tool Works

ITW is an industrial manufacturing company that specializes in the fields of industrial machinery, engineering, operations, sales, marketing, finance, and accounting. It's in deep-sea oil rigs, aerospace technology, bridges and wind turbines, healthcare, the spaces in which they live and work, the cars they drive, and the mobile devices they rely on. It was founded in 1912 and headquartered in Glenview Nas, Illinois.

Illinois Tool Works Careers

Join the dynamic team at Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a global leader in diversified manufacturing, where innovation and excellence drive us forward. ITW offers unparalleled job opportunities, fostering a culture of growth and leadership in the industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Illinois Tool Works, you will be part of a professional community that thrives on creativity and innovation. Our employees are equipped with the skills needed to succeed and are provided with endless opportunities for professional growth. Engage in work that matters, with projects that transform industries and enhance futures.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a seasoned professional position, ITW offers a range of career paths across various departments. Our team benefits from a supportive and diverse working environment where every member’s contribution is valued.

Innovate and Lead

Join a team where innovation leads to revolutionary solutions in industries worldwide. At ITW, you will work alongside industry experts to develop new ideas and strategies that keep us at the forefront of technological advancements. Your career at ITW will be marked by a continuous journey of growth and leadership.

Develop Your Skills

With ITW’s commitment to professional development and diversity training, you will enhance your skills through targeted training programs and workshops. These opportunities not only boost your career but also ensure you stay competitive in the job market.

Be Part of Our Culture

ITW is dedicated to building a culture that respects and embraces diversity, encourages innovation, and fosters leadership. Our team is our greatest asset, and we believe in providing them with the benefits and resources they need to succeed both professionally and personally.

Networking and Professional Growth

Expand your professional network through ITW’s global presence and collaborative work environment. Engage with professionals across different sectors, gaining insights that can lead to significant career advancements. Our networking events and professional groups help you connect with key industry leaders and peers.

Join Our Team

Search for open positions that match your skills and interests on the ITW Careers page. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take their career to the next level.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest industry trends, company news, and career tips by following our careers blog. Personalize your experience by subscribing to job alert emails, tailored to your preferences and career goals. Explore the opportunities at Illinois Tool Works today and discover how your expertise can help shape the future of our company and the industries we serve. Join us in our mission to achieve excellence through innovation and leadership.
Learn more about Illinois Tool Works
Size
45,000 employees
Market Cap
$68.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.1 billion
Founded
1912
5 Year Trend
+1.2%
Revenue
$12.5 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Illinois Tool Works

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Global Product Manager jobs: