Brand Manager

The Wheel Group is hiring a Brand Manager to help drive new product development from concept through launch, identify category expansion opportunities, and manage the long-term strategy of our product portfolio. This is a product-focused role requiring hands-on experience in product development, category management, or product management within the automotive aftermarket industry. WHAT DRIVES US Founded in 1997, The Wheel Group is a leading designer, developer, and owner of aftermarket automotive wheel, tire, and accessory brands, with a focus on quality, innovation, and performance. Headquartered in Ontario, California, with 15 distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as a QC, engineering and support services office in Shanghai, China, TWG serves a diverse base of customers across North America and globally. TAKING THE WHEEL The Wheel Group (TWG) is seeking a Brand Manager – Wheels & Wheel Accessories to manage our front wheel drive & passenger car aftermarket wheel program as well as out wheel accessory program. You’ll be responsible for driving the continued success of our brands and overall promotion of the products in this category while ensuring our market position. New product development is a key portion of the role where you’ll continually look for trends and opportunities to expand our product offering to relevant markets while managing the creation and launch of those products. Knowledge of market peers and competitive price strategies is a fundamental area of the position. Strong relationships with key customers and company management will be vital to the position as well as maximizing brand awareness and customer appeal. The ideal candidate would have experience in understanding wholesale distribution with a background in automotive vehicle accessories. A working knowledge of dealer or retailer needs, and a basic comprehension of marketing and sales principles is critical to the success of the position. Exceptional communication skills and forwarding thinking are key attributes of the right candidate. Characteristics Manage long-term development strategies for new and existing products Collaborate with internal and external teams in the development of new products and category expansion Develop training programs internally and externally on new and existing products or programs Serve as a key stakeholder in managing relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers Maximize the positioning of products and category visibility Coordinate with marketing teams to determine marketing and promotional activities of products within the category Perform regular competitive reviews on products or categories to maximize positioning in the market Report monthly on status of your brand(s) and category Study industry insights to determine trends and opportunities Leverage growth opportunities through our global distribution model This job description details essential functions. Duties and responsibilities may be assigned and reassigned at any time and/or modified as directed by your direct supervisor and company leadership. WHATS IN YOUR TOOLBOX A working knowledge of automotive aftermarket vehicle accessories Understanding of product development cycle Strong experience and knowledge of sales and marketing principles Ability to multitask and work on several projects simultaneously An analytical mind with a strategic ability Proficient in MS Office Excellent communication and people skills Ability to complete projects within projected timelines ON THE ROAD Participation in trade shows, industry events, and sales meetings YOUR SUCCESS METRICS Revenue growth (Year-over-Year) Margin improvement ($ and %) Unit growth across product categories New product success rate (launch performance and adoption) LOCATION: This is a full-time, on-site position based at The Wheel Group’s headquarters in Ontario, California . This role is not remote or hybrid . The Wheel Group is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr