Global Licensing Category Manager, KitchenAid Appliances

Global Licensing Category Manager, Kitchen Aid Small Appliances

Company: Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) – a leading home appliance manufacturer recognized for innovative kitchen and laundry appliances. The company reports approximately $17 billion in annual sales with 44,000 employees and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers.

Lead the global licensing strategy for Kitchen Aid small appliances from our headquarters in Benton Harbor, MI. The role drives growth by developing new product categories and licensing partners, managing day‑to‑day partnerships, and ensuring brand alignment and quality across all licensed products.

• Serve as the primary liaison with external licensing partners, coordinating regular meetings, joint design reviews, and compliance oversight.
• Develop long‑term product strategy for assigned categories, driving growth from new and existing products.
• Use the Licensed Product Development Process (LPDP) and Whirlpool Product Development (WPD) processes to move projects from idea to launch.
• Leverage consumer insights to inform decisions that support Kitchen Aid’s premium brand positioning.
• Approve marketing assets (messaging, copy, photography, videos, packaging) to ensure alignment with brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal cross‑functional teams, including licensees, regional marketing, brand and category marketing, design, engineering, procurement, sales, finance, and legal.
• Identify and evaluate new product and category opportunities for licensing to expand the licensing business.
• Travel 10–15 % of the time, including international assignments.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5+ years of product marketing or brand/category marketing experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience.

• Marketing or Engineering degree.
• Prior global business experience.
• Proven strategy development and consumer‑focused product development experience.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage teams without direct authority.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and multitasking abilities.
• Embody Whirlpool’s values of inclusion and diversity.

Generous benefits package that includes employee discounts, fitness and educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more. The Benton Harbor office features a renovated space, barista bar, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy Early Childhood Center (subject to availability).

Base salary range: $75,250 – $150,500 plus annual bonus.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.

Comprehensive relocation package available for eligible candidates to Benton Harbor, MI.

5‑day in‑office position. For Chicago‑based candidates, a split work arrangement is possible with weekly attendance in Michigan (minimum 2 days per week).