📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director - Product Development and Marketing
🔹 Company: MAT Holdings, Inc.
🔹 Location: Long Grove, Illinois
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving business growth through innovative product development and marketing strategies
- Overseeing product marketing plans and integrated marketing campaigns
- Managing new product development and launches
- Leading and coordinating cross-functional teams
- Collaborating with sales teams to support growth and improve customer presentations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrix organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute product marketing plans, including strategy, positioning, differentiation, market research, and advertising
✅ Track and monitor the competitive landscape, identify core competencies, and exploit sustainable competitive advantages
✅ Lead SKU rationalization process and oversee new product communication
✅ Identify new product opportunities, formulate long-term new product plans, and drive innovative new products
✅ Screen and track initial new product requests, influence prioritization, and drive regular product review meetings
✅ Develop strong relationships with sales teams, provide marketing support, and drive customer PRL processes
✅ Oversee communication initiatives focused on driving growth or improving MAT's reputation within the industry
✅ Build a high-performance, productive, and cohesive team, provide leadership, strategy, and direction, and create an environment that supports ongoing training and development
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and project coordination.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible work experience with at least 7 years in a product management discipline
Required Skills:
- Results orientation, high levels of personal initiative, energy, and ownership for success
- Strong business acumen and expertise in strategy creation, product development, and marketing principles and concepts
- Strong team leadership and team facilitation skills; capable of hiring, developing, and leading a team to achieve desired organizational objectives
- Ability to work well across teams and in a matrix organization, understands how to build a service relationship with internal and external customers
- Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work equally well with peers, superiors, and subordinates
- Understanding of accounting basics including overall P&L, pricing & margin analysis, etc.; strong analytical skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Strong project management skills; well organized; demonstrated planning skills
- Demonstrated ability to develop creative business solutions; good judgment and decision-making process
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in data analysis, change management, and process improvement activities
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a proven track record in product development and successful product launches, as well as experience in project management and team facilitation, will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $146,500 - $183,100 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance after 60 days of employment
- Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
- 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
- Career Advancement Program, training and development
- Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Voluntary Life / AD&D, Employer Provided Life/AD&D
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Director-level role in Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, with consideration for the candidate's experience level and the location of the role.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing. MAT Holdings is a diversified, privately-held family company with a portfolio of companies that manufacture, market, and distribute quality products and trusted brands to the hardware and fencing, automotive, and power equipment industries.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, MAT Holdings offers extensive resources, diverse opportunities, and a well-established infrastructure. However, applicants should expect a structured and hierarchical work environment.
Founded: 1984. MAT Holdings was founded as Midwest Air Technologies Inc. and has since grown to include six subsidiary companies within the U.S. and twelve worldwide, employing roughly 13,000 people.
Company Description:
- MAT Holdings is a vertically integrated manufacturer with a 40-year history, providing employment opportunities for more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries.
- The company's products can be found in home improvement centers, big box retailers, hardware stores, automotive chains, cars, trailers, and heavy-duty machinery.
- MAT can maintain consistent expertise and solutions across the entire supply chain, offering engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and distribution, marketing, design, and customer service.
Company Specialties:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Distribution Centers
- Production of Product
- Sales of Product
- Services of Product
Company Website: http://www.matholdingsinc.com
ASSUMPTION: MAT Holdings' extensive experience and global presence provide applicants with a stable and well-established work environment, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director. This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to executive management and overseeing multiple teams and functions.
Reporting Structure: The Director will report directly to executive management and oversee multiple teams, including marketing, NPD, and sales support.
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time. The role is based at MAT Holdings' headquarters in Long Grove, Illinois, with occasional travel required for meetings and events.
Growth Opportunities:
- As a senior-level role, this position offers opportunities for career advancement within MAT Holdings' diverse portfolio of companies.
- Applicants can expect to develop their leadership, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills in this role.
- Successful candidates may have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities or lead new initiatives as the company continues to grow and expand.
ASSUMPTION: This role provides a unique opportunity for experienced professionals to drive growth and innovation within a large, established organization, with potential for career advancement and professional development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters. MAT Holdings' headquarters in Long Grove, Illinois, is a large, modern facility that houses multiple departments and teams.
Office Location(s): 6700 Wildlife Way, Long Grove, Illinois 60047, United States
Geographic Context:
- Long Grove is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, offering a mix of urban and rural living with easy access to major highways and transportation options.
- The area provides a range of housing options, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community.
- Applicants should expect a commute to MAT Holdings' headquarters, with potential flexibility for remote work depending on the role and team.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with occasional overtime or weekend work required to meet project deadlines or attend events.
ASSUMPTION: Long Grove, Illinois, offers a desirable work-life balance with easy access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and a strong job market. However, applicants should be prepared for a commute to MAT Holdings' headquarters and potential flexibility in work hours.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with HR
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with executive management
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic planning and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Product development and marketing expertise
- Analytical and data-driven decision-making
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in product development, marketing, and team leadership.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with SKU rationalization, new product launches, and marketing campaign management.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the automotive industry and MAT Holdings' product portfolio.
- Prepare examples of your creative problem-solving skills, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making.
ATS Keywords: Product Development, Marketing, Business Management, Sales Support, Team Leadership, Project Management, Data Analysis, Change Management, Process Improvement, Communication, Strategic Planning, Analytical Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Creative Solutions, P&L Management, Digital Marketing
ASSUMPTION: MAT Holdings' recruitment process is structured and thorough, with a focus on assessing candidates' strategic planning, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Marketo, Salesforce)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Product lifecycle management software (e.g., Arena, Agile PLM)
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and have experience with relevant project management, marketing automation, and data visualization tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centricity: Prioritizing customer needs and satisfaction
- Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and acting with honesty and transparency
- Innovation: Encouraging creativity, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Working closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals
- Data-driven: Making informed decisions based on data analysis and insights
- Agile: Adapting to change and responding quickly to new opportunities or challenges
- Results-oriented: Focusing on achieving desired outcomes and delivering measurable results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you identified a new product opportunity and drove its successful launch?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external customers?
ASSUMPTION: MAT Holdings values candidates who are collaborative, data-driven, agile, and results-oriented, with a strong customer focus and a commitment to innovation and integrity.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large team and multiple projects simultaneously may require strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Working in a matrix organization may present challenges in coordinating with various stakeholders and balancing competing priorities.
- Driving growth and innovation in a large, established organization may require navigating bureaucracy and overcoming resistance to change.
- Applicants should be prepared for occasional travel and potential flexibility in work hours to meet project deadlines or attend events.
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers significant opportunities for growth and development, applicants should be prepared to manage a large team, navigate a matrix organization, and drive change in a large, established company.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Director-level roles in Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, this position places a greater emphasis on product development and marketing, with less focus on operations or production management.
- Applicants with experience in product management, marketing, or related fields may find this role more aligned with their skills and interests than other Director-level positions in the industry.
- Career paths for this role may include progression to Vice President or General Manager positions within MAT Holdings or other organizations in the industry.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for experienced professionals to drive growth and innovation in a specific functional area, with potential for career advancement within MAT Holdings or other organizations in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing plan for a new product launch, including market research, positioning, pricing, and promotional strategies
- Identifying and capitalizing on new product opportunities through market analysis, customer feedback, and competitive landscaping
- Managing a cross-functional team to deliver a major product development project on time and within budget, with a focus on quality, cost, and delivery
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and project management skills required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current product portfolio and any upcoming product launches or initiatives?
- How does the marketing team collaborate with the sales team to support growth and improve customer presentations?
- What are the key challenges facing the product development and marketing teams, and how can this role address them?
- How does MAT Holdings support the professional development and career advancement of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's day-to-day responsibilities, the company's culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in product development, marketing, and team leadership.
- Prepare examples of your creative problem-solving skills, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making.
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your experience with SKU rationalization, new product launches, and marketing campaign management.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
