Principal, Portfolio Strategy & Product Mgmt

Job Title: Principal, Portfolio Strategy & Product Mgmt

Position Location: Vernon Hills, IL

FLSA Status (Exempt/Non-Exempt): Exempt

Position Summary:

The Principal, Portfolio Strategy & Product Management - Essentials is responsible for leading the global Essentials product portfolio across the U.S. and international markets. This role drives portfolio strategy, pricing, and lifecycle management to deliver profitable growth, margin expansion, and portfolio simplification.

You will partner cross-functionally to ensure products are effectively positioned, competitively priced, and actively managed throughout their lifecycle. Success in this role comes from optimizing an existing portfolio-through data, market insight, and commercial execution-not from new product R&D.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead long-term portfolio strategy across Essentials, defining category roles, assortment structure, and the mix of private label, branded, and sourced products
• Drive SKU rationalization and portfolio simplification to improve focus, efficiency, and profitability
• Own end-to-end product lifecycle management, including product introduction, performance monitoring, optimization, and end-of-life decisions
• Analyze SKU-level performance across revenue, margin, adoption, and lifecycle health, and take action to improve outcomes
• Develop and execute pricing strategies across regions and channels, including price architecture, competitive positioning, and margin optimization
• Identify pricing inconsistencies, margin leakage, and opportunities through data and market analysis
• Partner with Commercial and Finance teams to ensure pricing discipline and execution
• Integrate market intelligence into all decisions by analyzing competitive landscapes, customer behavior, supplier dynamics, and regional trends
• Translate internal and external insights into actionable strategies that improve positioning, close gaps, and identify growth opportunities
• Partner with Digital and Brand Marketing teams to improve product performance through bundling, promotions, cross-sell, and upsell strategies
• Optimize digital merchandising, including assortment visibility, value messaging, and conversion performance
• Use data to continuously improve conversion rates, average order value, and attach rates
• Collaborate with Sourcing to align supplier strategy with portfolio goals, including supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and strategic sourcing decisions
• Support make vs. buy decisions and ensure sourcing aligns with pricing, margin, and lifecycle objectives
• Drive expansion of private label offerings through specification alignment, supplier coordination, and commercial positioning
• Ensure alignment across global and regional teams, adapting assortment, pricing, and positioning to reflect local market dynamics and channel requirements
• Analyze financial and operational performance across revenue, margin, SKU productivity, inventory, and channel dynamics
• Develop data-driven business cases and partner with Finance on forecasting and performance tracking
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Commercial, Sourcing, Supply Chain, and Regional teams to drive execution and results
• Contribute to portfolio governance processes, including portfolio reviews, SKU rationalization, and pricing effectiveness
• Influence decisions through data, insights, and structured recommendations in a matrixed environment

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited higher learning program required. MBA or equivalent experience preferred

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in product management, portfolio management, or category management

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Strong experience managing product lifecycles in a commercial or distribution environment. Experience in B2B distribution, life sciences, or industrial products preferred
• Deep understanding of pricing strategy, merchandising, and supplier dynamics
• Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to drive decisions and performance improvements
• Experience working across global markets and multiple sales channels
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate market insights and data into actionable business strategies
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization

• Familiarity with digital commerce, bundling, and merchandising strategies preferred
• Experience with private label product development and strategy preferred

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary Range: $150,000-$200,000, depending on location, experience, and qualifications.
• Annual-Incentive Plan (AIP): 20%
• Benefits coverage begins day 1, including the following:
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) company match
• Paid Time Off (15 days annually)
• Paid Holiday time (10 company-designated days)
• Tuition Assistance
• Additional benefits available with company package

This position has not been approved for Relocation Assistance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities associated with it.