Segment Manager – Construction, Fabrication & Shipbuilding

Illinois Tool Works · Appleton · $97,500–$162,500 (stated in the posting)

Job Description:

Are you a business development professional energized by understanding where industrial customers are headed and identifying the next wave of growth opportunities across construction, fabrication, and shipbuilding markets?

As Segment Manager for the Industrial Equipment & Automation division of Miller Electric Mfg LLC (An ITW Company), you will shape the growth strategy for key end markets including construction, fabrication, shipbuilding, and related industries. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role responsible for defining where we play, how we win, and which opportunities to pursue.

You will turn ambiguity into direction, identifying unmet customer needs, competitive threats, industry trends, and emerging opportunities, then translate those insights into clear strategic choices. Your work will influence portfolio strategy, product roadmaps, innovation investments, and go-to-market initiatives across the organization and global regions, driving measurable business results.

Opportunity for remote work for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Market Strategy & Segmentation

Build, prioritize, and maintain business cases globally for new Con/Fab & Ship automation growth opportunities.
Develop strong, evidence-based points of view on where the business should compete and why.
Map markets to clarify customer segments, unmet needs, and competitive positioning.
Identify and size attractive growth markets using customer, trend, and competitive analysis.
Assess market attractiveness, barriers to entry, revenue/margin potential, and execution complexity to guide portfolio priorities globally.

Customer & Insight Development

Champion a customer-first perspective, ensuring the business is positioned to grow automation solutions in Con/Fab & Ship environments.
Lead customer and market exploration through interviews, surveys, voice-of-customer work, market analysis, competitive landscapes, and industry trends.
Translate qualitative and quantitative insights into actionable go-to-market and development opportunities.

Develop sub-segment level eco-system maps clearly identifying how we are positioned to win.
Help define how automated, and mechanized solutions should be positioned within each Con/Fab & Ship sub-segment.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence

Partner closely with Strategic Marketing, Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and business leadership to align on market direction and opportunity selection.
Influence decisions across teams and levels without direct authority.
Communicate market insights, recommendations, and trade-offs clearly and credibly to senior leadership.

How to Be Successful in This Role

Analytical & Strategic

Strong market analysis, competitive intelligence, and strategic mindset.
Ability to model market size, share, growth, margin potential, adoption timing, and portfolio trade-offs.
Ability to connect market trends, automation trends, customer needs, and business opportunities into practical recommendations.

Customer & Market Insight

Skilled at turning qualitative and quantitative data into clear recommendations.
Strong understanding of industrial customer buying behavior, value drivers, and application-level decision criteria.
Track record of uncovering insights that translate into growth, differentiation, or sharper portfolio choices.

Collaboration & Influence

Clear, compelling communicator and storyteller.
Proven ability to influence across functions and levels.
Build trust and credibility with cross-functional partners.

Business Acumen

Solid understanding of P&L drivers, pricing, margin dynamics, channel economics, and portfolio prioritization.
Ability to evaluate opportunities against risk, competitive landscape, regional (global) preferences, complexity, return, customer impact, and organizational capability.
Experience translating market insight into sound business decisions and execution plans.

How You Show Up

Intellectually Curious: Asks questions, seeks understanding, and challenges assumptions.
Customer-Centered: Deeply committed to understanding Con/Fab & Ship customer needs and how work gets done.
Automation-Minded: Understands that automation growth requires application insight, integration dynamics, and a practical view of customer adoption barriers.
Comfortable with Ambiguity: Operates effectively in evolving and uncertain environments.
Collaborative: Engages others to build alignment and momentum.
Enterprise Mindset: Share market insights throughout a large, decentralized organization.
Practically Optimistic: Balances realism with a growth-oriented mindset.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Engineering, or a related technical field.
5-10 years of experience in strategic marketing, segment management, market research, business development, or related commercial leadership roles.
Experience in construction, fabrication, shipbuilding, industrial equipment, welding, or related industrial markets preferred.
Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic and international travel.
Proven success in market strategy, segment growth, portfolio prioritization, or new market development.

Company Description

Comprised of a market-leading portfolio of best-in-class brands, the businesses of ITW Welding work together to provide premium performance delivered through a breadth of solutions encompassing welding, cutting, consumables, and accessories. ITW Welding North America represents Miller Electric Welding Equipment, Safety & Accessories, Hobart Filler Metals, and Bernard / Tregaskiss MIG Guns.

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wholly owned by Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW). The company maintains its industry leadership by setting the standard for reliability, quality and responsiveness. Our tagline, “The Power of Blue®,” is inspired by the blue color of Miller equipment.

The company began with an innovation that responded to customer needs, growing from a one-man operation in 1929, to the world’s largest manufacturer of arc welding products. Miller keeps the tradition alive by focusing on its top priority: people.

Why ITW Welding?

Here’s what we offer to help you build the future you want:

Generous Retirement Benefits – 401(k) match PLUS an additional retirement contribution to help you plan for the future.
Paid Time Off – 11 paid holidays, 5 sick days, and vacation time to take time for what matters.
Company-Paid Insurance – Life, AD&D, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability insurance to give you peace of mind.
Family-Friendly Benefits – 4 weeks of paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement to support your family journey.
Education Assistance – tuition reimbursement because we believe in investing in your personal and professional development.

At ITW Welding, we’re not just a place to work – we’re a community that empowers you to grow and make a real impact. Join us and build a career that makes a difference!

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Compensation Information:

$97,500 - $162,500

More jobs at Illinois Tool Works · Marketing & Comms jobs in Appleton