Manager, Strategic Partnership; OEM

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Full Time Management Skokie, IL, US

3 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

The Manager, Strategic Partnerships (OEM)leads the strategy, growth, and operational execution of OEM partnerships within the high ‑ hazard apparel sector. This role is responsible for maintaining and expanding the company’s footprint through integrated product solutions, customer relationships, and safety ‑ driven solutions with strategic partners. The Manager ensures that all OEM programs meet industry standards, support customer safety requirements, and drive profitable growth across industrial, utilities, oil & gas, manufacturing, and other high ‑ risk environments.

Essential functions of the job are listed below. Other responsibilities may also be assigned. Please note that the essential functions may vary depending on department size, organizational structure and/or geographic location. Reasonable accommodation may be made to allow differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develop and execute the OEM strategy for flame ‑ resistant, arc ‑ rated, chemical ‑ resistant, and other high ‑ hazard apparel categories.
• Key stakeholder tasked with maintaining and building strategic partnerships across our customers and supplier network
• Own OEM revenue targets and manage growth across high hazard apparel in line with the business objectives
• Evaluate market trends in PPE adoption, regulatory shifts, and competitive technologies to inform strategic decisions.
• Partner with finance and operations to forecast demand, optimize margins, and ensure supply continuity.
• Collaborate with OEM strategic partners to build annual plans as well as multi ‑ year roadmaps that align with product innovation, compliance requirements, and customer safety expectations.
• Create clear delineation and strategic context between OEM products and company ‑ branded offerings, including fabrics, materials, technologies, and finished goods—through a structured rollout matrix that defines positioning, value propositions, and channel strategy.
• Where feasible, develop frameworks that ensure OEM programs complement (rather than compete with) branded product lines, protecting Mechanix Wear brand equity while expanding market reach through OEM channels.
• Partner with product, marketing, and sales teams to communicate differentiation, technical attributes, and intended use ‑ cases across both OEM and branded portfolios.
• Ensure all delineation decisions support long‑term growth strategies of Mechanix Wear, regulatory compliance, and customer clarity in high‑hazard environments.
• Manage life cycle management of products through sku and program maintenance.

• Serve as the primary liaison for OEM partners including fabric mills, component suppliers, 3rd party manufacturing partners, and safety ‑ equipment integrators.
• Negotiate long ‑ term customer and supplier agreements covering terms, material sourcing commitments, product integration, and compliance obligations.
• Ensure all OEM account products are fully supported in Assent platform
• Review the National Account Private Label Lines for cost savings synergies and strategic portfolio placement.
• Collaborate to identify material synergies across OEM and Commercial programs for cost savings
• Evaluate and monitor Tier 2 suppliers who support OEM products
• Lead joint development initiatives for new protective apparel systems, ensuring alignment with NFPA, ASTM, ANSI, ISO, and industry ‑ specific standards.
• Establish a…