- Job Title: Senior Brand Marketing Manager, JennAir
- Company: Whirlpool Corporation
- Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Date Posted: May 13, 2025
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
- Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Brand Leadership: Shape the iconic JennAir experience and drive brand growth through innovative marketing initiatives.
- Team Leadership: Direct people leadership of 5 team members and external agency partners.
- Budget Management: Oversee a budget of $10M+.
- Product Launch: Experience with product launches, with JennAir relaunching its entire portfolio over the next 5 years.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams and external partners to achieve shared marketing goals.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in process improvement and driving brand growth.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Brand Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute strategic marketing plans that align with the brand's vision, mission, and values, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.
- Team Leadership: Lead and motivate a cross-functional team of marketing professionals, fostering collaboration and open communication to achieve shared goals.
- Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement of marketing processes and systems, identifying inefficiencies and implementing streamlined solutions.
- Designer Audience Focus: Understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of the designer audience, and develop targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with them.
- Agency Management: Collaborate closely with agency partners, providing clear direction and feedback to ensure efficient and effective execution of marketing initiatives.
- Performance Analysis: Monitor and evaluate marketing performance, analyzing data and metrics to measure the success of campaigns and identify areas for optimization.
- Industry Trends: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, incorporating innovative approaches into marketing strategies.
- Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and industry influencers.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in brand or product marketing, with a focus on consumer-focused brands.
- Proven leadership experience, including managing and developing a team.
- Required Skills:
- Firm grasp of marketing mix and processes, with a proven ability to develop briefs and deliver breakthrough results.
- Proven ability to uncover insights and develop recommendations grounded in those insights.
- Experience working cross-functionally and influencing others without direct authority.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in solving complex problems.
🎯 Preferred Qualifications
- Education: MBA (preferred).
- Experience:
- Experience working with agencies and managing external partnerships.
- Proven track record of improving processes and implementing innovative solutions.
- Proven track record of product launch effectiveness through strong strategy and storytelling.
- Skills:
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Dynamic motivator/leader and relationship builder.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
- Passion for the JennAir brand and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 (based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location)
- Benefits:
- Generous benefits package
- Whirlpool employee discount
- Fitness & educational reimbursement programs
- Kitchenettes
- Beautiful, recently renovated office space
- Free coffee
- Biking/walking trails
- Access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required)
💡 Working Hours & Arrangement
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
- Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility options including Always On Flexibility, Two-Week Work from Anywhere, and Sabbatical.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Manufacturing, specifically focused on kitchen and laundry appliances.
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees.
- Founded: 1911, with a rich history and strong brand portfolio.
- Company Description: Whirlpool Corporation is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with its iconic brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator.
- Company Specialties: Brand leadership, product leadership, operational excellence, people excellence, innovation, manufacturing, diversity & inclusion, social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and marketing.
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-career, with opportunities for growth and advancement.
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Brand Marketing, JennAir.
- Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility options for work-from-anywhere and sabbatical.
- Growth Opportunities: Potential for career progression within the marketing department or across the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: On-site, with a recently renovated office space in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
- Office Location(s): 2000 North M63, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022, US.
- Geographic Context: Benton Harbor is a small city located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, offering a mix of urban and outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule, with flexibility options for work-from-anywhere and sabbatical.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Phone or video screening, followed by multiple on-site interviews with key stakeholders, including the hiring manager and other team members.
- Key Assessment Areas: Problem-solving skills, leadership potential, cultural fit, and strategic thinking.
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Showcase your understanding of the JennAir brand and the specific challenges faced by the designer audience.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your leadership style, problem-solving approach, and ability to work collaboratively.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing Tools: Experience with marketing automation tools, CRM software, and analytics platforms is preferred.
- Project Management: Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies is essential.
- Design & Creative: Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and familiarity with creative brief development are beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Integrity, respect, inclusion & diversity, one Whirlpool, and spirit of winning.
- Work Style: Collaborative, innovative, and data-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement and process optimization.
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility?
- Describe your approach to building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.
- How do you balance the need for innovation with the requirement to maintain brand consistency?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Role-Specific Challenges: Balancing the need to shift marketing focus towards designer, architect, and builder channels while maintaining strong relationships with existing trade customers.
- Company-Specific Challenges: Working in a large, complex organization with multiple brands and product lines.
- Location-Specific Challenges: Adapting to a smaller city environment with a limited local talent pool.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Role Differentiation: This role focuses on the JennAir brand, with a specific emphasis on the designer audience, while other marketing roles within Whirlpool may have a broader or more general focus.
- Industry Context: The appliance industry is competitive and dynamic, with a focus on innovation and customer experience.
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth within the marketing department or across the broader organization, with potential career paths including brand management, product management, or general management.
📝 Sample Projects
- Product Launch: Develop and execute a comprehensive product launch strategy for a new JennAir product line, including market research, positioning, pricing, and promotional activities.
- Brand Refresh: Lead a brand refresh initiative for JennAir, updating the brand's visual identity, messaging, and tone of voice to better resonate with the designer audience.
- Campaign Development: Create and execute a targeted marketing campaign to drive awareness and consideration among designer influencers, architects, and builders.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Role-Specific Questions:
- How does the JennAir brand fit into the broader Whirlpool portfolio, and what are the unique challenges and opportunities for this brand?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- Company-Specific Questions:
- How does Whirlpool support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key initiatives and priorities for the marketing department in the coming year?
- Location-Specific Questions:
- What are the key attractions and amenities in the Benton Harbor area, and how does the company support employees in exploring and engaging with the local community?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the [provided link](https://jobs.whirlpool.com/careers/job/34387768950-senior-brand-marketing-manager-jennair-benton-harbor-michigan-usa).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for phone or video screening and multiple on-site interviews with key stakeholders.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview, expressing your interest in the role and reiterating your qualifications.
- If selected for the role, complete the onboarding process, which may include background checks, reference checks, and additional paperwork.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
