Sr. Director Commercial & Industrial Product Strategy

At Valvoline Global Operations, we're proud to be The Original Motor Oil, but we've never rested on being first. Founded in 1866, we introduced the world's first branded motor oil, staking our claim as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. Today, as an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driven by innovation and committed to creating sustainable solutions for a better future.

The Senior Director Commercial & Industrial Product Strategy is responsible for the commercial and industrial product strategy for Valvoline Global Operations. The role is the conduit between the regional business units and the supply chain to drive organization growth. The leader should utilize global processes (Innovation Master Plan creation, New Solutions Development, target margins, etc.) that have been created to build cross-functional collaboration.

The Senior Director Commercial & Industrial Product Strategy will implement the 3 main pillars of Product Strategy:

1. Product Discovery - identifying customer unmet needs,
2. Product Planning - creating the innovation roadmap,
3. Product Development - New Solutions Development Process.

The Global C&I Product Strategy directs a team comprised of Product Managers located in key growth regions for Valvoline Global Operations. The Heavy Duty Product Strategy team will have ownership of the global product portfolio. The Global C&I Strategy Leader will have regular connections with the Valvoline Leadership Team, including the leaders of each Region, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief Brand Officer. The role will also have regular collaboration with the regional Marketing Directors, R&D, Global Equity, and Global Pricing.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Product Discovery: Utilize market, enterprise, and business unit data to build a vision of the global future for the VGO commercial and industrial product portfolio. Drive consumer research to create research plans that will identify consumer unmet needs and answer critical business questions to unlock innovation pathways. Constantly ideate against strategic business questions. Evaluate the competitive landscape and identify portfolio gaps and claims opportunities.
• Product Planning: Create a long-term product portfolio vision. Develop a 5-year innovation road map (product, package, portfolio) that is aligned to the corporate and business unit strategies. Maintain the road map based on market and business unit trends. Help prioritize product-related projects for the organization. Maximize product profitability for the portfolio by identifying and maintaining regional target margins. Be the center of excellence for VGO innovation.
• Product Development: Follow the New Solutions Development stage gate process for all new initiatives. Create gate documents for all products on the innovation master plan. Lead key initiatives globally to drive international harmonization of the Valvoline product portfolio. Cross-connect between all Valvoline segments to deliver single solution branding and product promises for customers & consumers. Conduct Strategic Portfolio Reviews in accordance with annual timelines to determine long-term strategic fit vs. competition along with market opportunities for innovation refinement.
• Product Packaging: Creates a compelling visual story on pack for both customer and consumer selection and de-selection while maintaining fit within the overarching Valvoline portfolio. Owns the creation, development, and deployment of all new innovation concept artwork. Creates the consumer/customer value proposition, aligns key claims, and qualifies the visual. Owns product naming. Collaborates with Equity & Marketing to determine the appropriate packaging solutions that fit with the brand and product story.
• Coach & Mentor: Develop team members. Manage International direct reports. Create annual goals and development plans. Ensure global team is following project management processes, providing clear agendas, project timelines, and meeting recaps. Respond to escalated project issues that the Project Managers may face that impede project delivery and help coordinate solutions.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Engineering, or other related field
• Minimum of 10 years experience in product marketing, commercialization, or relevant role
• Strong understanding of product lifecycles, commercialization, and the development of five-year product growth strategies.
• Experience translating technical or engineering concepts into compelling business and marketing strategies.
• Background in marketing, brand strategy, product marketing, or a related commercial discipline.
• Proven ability to partner with creative, media, and social agencies to develop and execute marketing campaigns.
• Experience conducting or managing market research, including defining research objectives, developing research approaches, and translating insights into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate with regional teams to adapt global messaging and marketing strategies to local market needs.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across marketing, product, engineering, sales, agencies, and international stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker who can connect customer and market insights to product positioning, growth opportunities, and commercial outcomes.
• Familiarity with the stage gate process.

Benefits That Drive Themselves:

• Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
• Health Savings Account (with employer-based deposit and match)
• Flexible spending accounts
• Competitive 401(k) with generous employer-based deposit and match
• Incentive opportunity
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts
• PTO Buy/Sell Options
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance