IMI plc

We are a global specialist engineering company that creates breakthrough solutions. We are curious and like to solve problems, partnering with our customers to solve the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. We embrace innovation and care about outcomes that are good for business, everyday life and making a better world – creating lasting impact for everyone.

We design, build and service highly engineered products in fluid and motion control applications. We focus on five market sectors: Industrial Automation, Process Automation, Climate Control, Life Science and Fluid Control, and Transport.

Our partnership approach breaks through problems and reduces complexity. We don’t invent in isolation – we collaborate with our customers. We listen closely and we think differently, creating space for diverse minds to innovate. We are working together to make businesses safer, more sustainable and more productive.

Role Overview: This is an exciting opportunity to shape and scale the Residential offering within IMI’s Climate Control Sector – a global business with sales of over £400m. Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, you will own the commercial success, growth agenda, and lifecycle health of the Residential product portfolio. 

You will lead a team of Product Category Managers who own defined product/category families and connect market needs, engineering innovation, manufacturing capability, and commercial execution across regions and channels.

Your remit spans portfolio strategy, roadmap creation, value-based positioning and pricing, vitality management (NPI, lifecycle, and disciplined rationalisation), and launch excellence. You will partner closely with regional Sales & Marketing, RD&E, Operations, Finance, and the senior leadership team to translate customer insight into profitable growth and sustainable competitive advantage.

Work Environment: This role can be based at our Climate Control sites in Blackburn (UK) or Erwitte (Germany). It offers hybrid working options, typically three days a week in the office and two days working from home. International travel is required (approximately 25–35%, with seasonal variation) to visit customers, manufacturing sites, regional teams, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Strategy & Planning
  • Develop and execute the portfolio strategy for residential products to maximise growth and profitability, in alignment with the Climate Control strategy
  • Define and prioritise target applications, market segments, channels, and geographies based on market sizing, growth rates, regulatory trends, customer needs, and competitive intensity
  • Build structured market intelligence: customer VOC, competitive benchmarking, pricing corridors, technology trends, and sustainability drivers (energy efficiency smart/connected controls, etc.)
  • Translate insight into strategic choices: where to play, how to win, sequencing of investments, and resource allocation across product categories
• Portfolio management
  • Own and continuously improve the commercial positioning of our Residential portfolio to solve customer problems and deliver on our Better World strategy
  • Own the Residential product portfolio from concept to phase-out: ideation pipeline, business case, development, launch, growth, sustain, cost optimisation, and end-of-life
  • Develop and implement a value pricing strategy, in alignment with the Pricing Manager, to maximise growth and profitability across multiple regions and channels
  • Lead cross-functional portfolio reviews; ensure lifecycle stage clarity, vitality metrics, SKU health, margin performance, and regional fit
  • Maximise portfolio vitality throughout new product introductions and disciplined portfolio simplification (80:20)
  • Maintain an integrated multiyear portfolio roadmap linked to customer problems, regulatory milestones, technology availability, and manufacturing readiness
• New Product Development
  • Sponsor and/or own business cases in the stage-gate process; ensure projects are market-back, financially robust, and aligned to strategic priorities
  • Partner with RD&E to optimise feature/cost trade-offs, manufacturability, and launch readiness
  • Lead commercial launch planning with Customer Marketing & Sales: segmentation, positioning, pricing, demand generation, channel readiness, training, and post-launch metrics
  • Capture and close the loop on early-market feedback to accelerate adoption and fix launch gaps
• Commercial Positioning, Pricing & Offer Management
  • Be the link between technology and customers. Clearly articulate the value proposition of our offering to internal and external shareholders
  • Ensure successful new product launches in collaboration with Customer Marketing and Sales teams
  • Carry out meaningful VOC and integrate feedback from the regional sales teams
  • Develop compelling sales pitches to influence product adoption and customer orders
  • Deliver financial results for the portfolio managed in terms of growth, profitability and vitality
  • Develop value-based pricing strategies; partner with regional Sales teams to execute and measure price realisation, margin expansion, and mix improvement
  • Create compelling commercial toolkits (sales pitches, competitive playbooks, training content) that enable salesforce confidence and channel alignment
  • Champion data-driven decision-making around elasticity, win/loss, and attach/cross-sell opportunities

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years in product management, category management within B2B industrial / HVAC / building technologies/controls environments
• Exposure to connected / smart / IoT-enabled residential climate solutions; familiarity with sustainability and regulatory frameworks affecting residential HVAC/thermal control
• Successful track record in product management, product development, or marketing management
• Demonstrated success leading product portfolios across multiple regions and channels
• Direct people-leadership experience managing Product Managers or Product Category Managers, including performance management and talent development

Competencies:

• Great commercial acumen, customer focus and passion for growth 
• Ability to influence leadership and regional sales teams
• Strategic thinking with strong execution skills, able to drive action with cross-functional teams
• Ability to work under pressure and to operate in a highly dynamic environment. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong analytical and communication skills

What We Offer: We provide a supportive and flexible working environment, allowing you to work from home two days a week. Your health and well-being are our priority, so we offer access to fresh fruits, coffee, tea, annual check-ups, and more. We also emphasise career development, providing numerous opportunities for growth and skill enhancement. Along with an attractive compensation package, you’ll work in a friendly and recognised environment that values appreciation and innovation. As a member of our team, you will be at the forefront of the HVAC industry, contributing to the development and delivery of industry-leading products.

Health & Safety

The physical demands described within the Key Duties & Responsibilities section of this job description are required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.  Please contact your local HR representative to discuss the specific Work Conditions and Physical Requirements of this role.  

Health, Safety, and Environmental Duties – At IMI, we are all personally committed to protecting our people, minimising our impact on the environment, the communities we operate in and our company. All members of our workforce have the duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of themselves, others, and the environment. Every employee is expected to follow all HSE operating procedures and to challenge any observed behaviours or unsafe acts.

Code of Ethics

IMI requires the highest standard of ethics in all business dealings, particularly with customers, suppliers, advisors, employees, and the authorities. In accordance with the IMI Way: Our Code of Responsible Business.

Changes to This Job Description

IMI reserves the right to amend this job description in whole or in part at any time.

IMI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, colour, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.