Opportunity
Kohler Co. is seeking a, WasteLAB & Sustainable Product Manager - Marketing, to lead the product, category, and commercialization strategy for WasteLAB, while also supporting broader sustainable product strategy across the portfolio, in partnership with the Kohler KBA & KBI businesses.
This role operates at the intersection of product management, product marketing, and category strategy with a 70/30 focus:
70% WasteLAB product management, category strategy and marketing, with direct accountability for shaping how WasteLAB products are clearly differentiated, commercially viable, market-relevant, positioned, and brought to market30% enterprise sustainable product insights and strategy support
This role partners closely with the Business Development Manager, Sustainable Living, Product Management, Category Management, Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Marketing teams, to ensure sustainable product insights, competitive intelligence, and market trends inform product decisions and commercialization strategies.
This is a high-impact role operating in a startup-like environment within Kohler, requiring strong strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and cross-functional influence.
Role Summary
The Sustainable Product & WasteLAB Manager- Marketing, is responsible for:
Driving WasteLAB product and category strategy, go-to-market execution, and sales enablementProviding sustainable product insights, competitive intelligence, and market perspective to support enterprise sustainable product strategyTranslating sustainable product innovation into clear, market-ready value propositions
This role does not own P&L, but is accountable for strategic influence, commercialization effectiveness, and revenue-driving outcomes, particularly for WasteLAB and sustainable products across regions and businesses.
Key Responsibilities
WasteLAB Product & Category Strategy (70%)
Focus: Strategy, commercialization, and growth
Develop and own the multi-year product and category strategy for WasteLABIdentify growth opportunities, portfolio gaps, and category expansion ideasPartner with the Business Development Manager to align WasteLAB strategy and broader sustainable product prioritiesSupport prioritization decisions across new products, distribution partners, merchandising and sales training
Outcome:
A focused, market-driven WasteLAB strategy that supports growth and differentiation.
Enterprise Sustainable Product Strategy (30%)
Focus: Insight, intelligence, and strategic partnership
Gather and synthesize competitive intelligence, market trends, and customer insights related to sustainable productsIdentify white-space opportunities, portfolio gaps, and emerging sustainability trendsPartner with the Business Development Manager, Sustainable Product Strategy to:Bring forward insights to inform enterprise sustainable product strategySupport portfolio and investment discussionsCollaborate with Category & Product Management and Sustainable Living teams to ensure sustainability insights are integrated into broader product strategy conversations across regions and businesses.
Outcome:
Enterprise sustainable product strategy is informed by market-relevant, competitive, and customer-driven insights
Product Roadmap & New Product Development
Partner with Product Management, Engineering, R&D, and Industrial Design to:Define product requirementsDevelop and executive product roadmap for WasteLAB. Partner with regions and businesses to inform sustainable product prioritiesEmbed sustainability and circularity principles into WasteLAB productsProvide voice-of-customer and market insights throughout the NPD processSupport trade-off decisions related to performance, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability outcomes
Product Marketing & Go-to-Market Strategy
Lead marketing strategy for WasteLAB products (non-plumbing categories), including:Positioning and value propositionsMessaging and differentiationGo-to-market and launch planningDistribution partner product training and merchandisingPartner with Kohler Marketing, Category, Product Management and Sustainable Living teams to ensure WasteLAB launches (plumbing categories) are supported with:Purpose-driven storytellingCredible sustainability claimsClear customer value articulationProduct training and merchandising (samples, displays)Partner with kitchen and bath marketing team to develop product launch communications and campaign content for WasteLAB, or Sustainable Living initiatives, as needed.
Category Performance & Market Insights
Monitor and analyze WasteLAB category performance, including:Market trendsCompetitive landscapeCustomer and channel feedbackPartner with sales teams to identify growth opportunities and actionsContribute insights to long-range planning and portfolio optimization for enterprise sustainable product developmentSupport customer-service on existing and future orders and samples, as needed
Sales, Showroom & Partner Enablement
Develop and deliver sales enablement and training for:Field sales teamsKohler Signature Stores and showroomsKey partners Architects, Designers (residential/commercial/hospitality), and luxury buildersTravel to key markets to train architects and designers on CEUs and sustainable products; partner with Kohler sales team on key market initiatives. Partner with showrooms to elevate:WasteLAB product knowledgeSelling techniques and customer conversationsSupport A&D education to increase awareness, specification, and adoption of WasteLAB products and broader sustainable product knowledge
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key connector across:Business Development (Sustainable Product Strategy)Product and Category ManagementEngineeringMarketing and CommunicationsSales and Showroom teamsInfluence without direct authority in a matrixed environment
What Success Looks Like
A clear, market-driven WasteLAB product and category strategySuccessful launch and commercialization of new WasteLAB productsStrong alignment between WasteLAB and enterprise sustainable product strategySales and showroom teams confident in selling and specifying WasteLAB productsMeasurable contribution to WasteLAB revenue growth and visibilitySustainable product strategy is informed by strong competitive and market insights