Senior Brand Manager - Light Duty Lubricants Strategy & Innovation

Why Valvoline Global Operations?
 
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.

With a global presence, we develop future-ready products and provide best-in-class services for our partners around the world. For us, originality isn’t just about where we began; it’s about where we’re headed and how we’ll lead the way. We are originality in motion.

Our corporate values—Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values define how we operate, how we treat one another, and how we engage with our partners, customers, and the communities we serve. At Valvoline Global, we are united in our commitment to:

•    Treating everyone with care.
•    Acting with unwavering integrity.
•    Striving for excellence in all endeavors.
•    Delivering on our commitments with passion.
•    Collaborating as one unified team.

When you join Valvoline Global, you’ll become part of a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we’re shaping the future of automotive and industrial solutions.

Valvoline Global Operations Headquarters is located in Lexington, KY. We prefer local candidates willing to work an in-office work schedule (3 days per week). If semi-local, we are open to candidates working in the office 2 days per week. *This position offers relocation assistance for non-local candidates. 

The Senior Brand Manager for Light Duty Lubricants Strategy & Innovations, is responsible for Valvoline Global Operations light duty portfolio in the Americas. The role is the conduit between the regional business units and the supply chain to drive organizational growth.  This role will input to and drive the global strategy at a regional level.  The Senior Brand Innovation Manager will utilize global processes (Innovation Master Plan creation, New Solutions Development, target margins, etc.) that have been created to build cross-functional collaboration. This role will facilitate the success of the region through the below three pillars and also teach, train, mentor two direct reports to help deliver success.

The Senior Brand Innovation Manager 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. 

Additionally, the Senior Brand Innovation Manager will ensure direct reports are clear on execution strategy and implementing a cohesive innovation master plan locally, which connects to the global vision while meeting regional needs to win in the market. This role will conduct regular meetings with regional leaders (Channel Marketing, R&D, Pricing, Equity, etc.) to ensure support for the innovation master plan, portfolio recommendations, and enhancements to drive growth and increases in profitability across the portfolio. Additionally, the Senior Brand Manager will be the subject matter expert on portfolio innovation within Product Strategy & Management. 

How You Will Make An Impact

• 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. Develop claims that drive product superiority and overall Valvoline competitive advantage.   


• 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 a 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. 


• Direct Report Management: Ensure global vision is understood and executed upon by direct reports. Ensure all regional needs are met and that direct reports maintain a strong connection with local counterparts. Help break barriers as needed to achieve objectives. Teach, train, and mentor direct reports to help foster future organizational leaders and growth. Ensure mastery of the regional and product nuances.   

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Management, or related discipline, demonstrating strong foundational knowledge


• 5 - 10 years of progressive professional experience in a fast-paced or growth-oriented environment


• Proven management experience leading teams, developing talent, and driving operational results


• Exceptional cross-functional communication skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build alignment across diverse teams 


• Strategic thinking and intellectual curiosity with a demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, identify opportunities, and propose innovative solutions. 

What Will Set You Apart

• MBA preferred

Benefits That Drive Themselves

• Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)


• Health Savings Account (with employer-base deposit and match)


• Flexible spending accounts


• Competitive 401(k) with generous employer base 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*

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• Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on position or tenure.

Valvoline Global is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout our recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us at:.

•    Email: [email protected]

This contact information is solely for accommodation requests. For inquiries about application status, please use the appropriate channels listed in your application materials.

Are You Ready to Make an Impact?

At Valvoline Global, we’re looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our journey of innovation and excellence. Are you ready to shape the future with us? Apply today.

Requisition ID: 2465