Role Overview for Vice President of Marketing – Manufacturing – Detroit, MI
The Vice President of Marketing is a critical executive role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You will serve as the chief architect of the company’s marketing strategy and vision. This position demands a unique blend of strategic acumen, creative thinking, and operational excellence. You will be responsible for all aspects of marketing, including brand strategy, demand generation, digital marketing, product marketing, corporate communications, and marketing analytics. Based in Detroit, MI, you will immerse yourself in the company’s culture and the broader manufacturing ecosystem, building a marketing function that is not only best-in-class but also deeply aligned with the specific nuances of a complex B2B sales cycle. Your leadership will be instrumental in navigating market shifts, capitalizing on new opportunities, and ensuring that our marketing efforts translate directly into measurable revenue growth and enhanced brand equity. You will be the primary voice of the customer within the organization, using market insights to influence product development, sales strategy, and overall corporate direction.
Key Responsibilities of Vice President of Marketing – Manufacturing – Detroit, MI
The successful candidate will assume a wide range of responsibilities, leading the marketing department to achieve ambitious goals. Your duties will be strategic, operational, and managerial, requiring a leader who can seamlessly transition between high-level planning and hands-on execution.
Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Develop, articulate, and execute a cohesive, multi-year marketing strategy that aligns with the company’s overarching business objectives and financial goals.
- Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, market opportunities, and potential threats, providing actionable insights to the executive team.
- Define and manage the annual marketing budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to maximize return on investment (ROI) and performance against key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Establish and track meaningful KPIs for all marketing activities, including lead generation, conversion rates, customer acquisition cost (CAC), customer lifetime value (CLV), and brand awareness metrics.
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing marketing insights and contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company.
Brand Management & Corporate Communications
- Oversee the evolution and stewardship of the corporate brand, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand identity, voice, and message across all internal and external touchpoints.
- Develop and manage the company’s public relations and media outreach strategy to secure positive press coverage and enhance brand reputation.
- Lead the corporate communications function, including internal communications, crisis management, and executive communications, to ensure clear and consistent messaging.
- Direct the company’s presence at key industry trade shows, conferences, and events, maximizing visibility and lead generation opportunities.
Demand Generation & Digital Marketing
- Architect and implement a sophisticated, multi-channel demand generation engine designed to attract, engage, and convert target accounts in the manufacturing sector.
- Lead all digital marketing initiatives, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), account-based marketing (ABM), email marketing, and social media marketing.
- Oversee the company’s digital presence, including the corporate website and social media channels, ensuring they are optimized for user experience, conversion, and brand storytelling.
- Champion the use of marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) to streamline processes, nurture leads, and provide visibility into the marketing funnel.
- Spearhead a robust content marketing strategy, creating valuable assets such as white papers, case studies, webinars, and technical articles that position the company as an industry thought leader and attract qualified prospects. Staying ahead of industry trends is critical, which means staying informed through top resources like the National Association of Manufacturers.
Product Marketing & Sales Enablement
- Collaborate closely with the Product Development and Engineering teams to develop compelling value propositions and go-to-market strategies for new and existing products.
- Create a comprehensive suite of sales enablement tools and collateral, including presentations, data sheets, battle cards, and training materials, to empower the sales team to sell more effectively.
- Conduct market and customer research to inform product positioning, messaging, and pricing strategies.
Team Development & Mentorship
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of marketing professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear goals and objectives for the marketing team, providing regular feedback, performance reviews, and professional development opportunities.
- Structure the marketing department for optimal efficiency and scalability as the company grows.
Requirements for the Vice President of Marketing – Manufacturing – Detroit, MI
We are seeking a seasoned and accomplished marketing executive with a proven track record of success in a relevant B2B environment. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Education & Professional Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in B2B marketing, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director, Senior Director, or VP of Marketing).
Crucial
Demonstrable experience within the manufacturing, industrial, automotive, or a related B2B technical industry is a non-negotiable requirement.
- Proven track record of developing and executing marketing strategies that have resulted in significant and measurable revenue growth.
- Experience managing a multi-million dollar marketing budget and building and leading a team of marketing professionals.
Skills & Competencies
- Deep expertise across the full marketing stack, including digital marketing, content strategy, brand management, product marketing, and marketing analytics.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex data and market insights into actionable plans.
- Outstanding leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and build consensus among executive peers, board members, and cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency with modern marketing technology, including marketing automation software, CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools.
- A data-driven mindset with a relentless focus on measuring performance and optimizing for results.
- Strong business acumen and a thorough understanding of the financial and operational drivers of a manufacturing business.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
- A competitive executive-level base salary and a significant performance-based annual bonus.
- Potential for long-term incentives, including equity or stock options.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents.
- A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
- Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick days, and company holidays.
- A professional development allowance to support continuous learning, conference attendance, and certifications.
- Relocation assistance for exceptional candidates moving to the Detroit, MI area.
- An opportunity to work with a talented and passionate leadership team and make a lasting impact on a growing company.
How to Apply
This is an exclusive search being conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary marketing leader with a passion for the manufacturing industry and a track record of driving growth, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role. Interested candidates should apply directly through JRG Partners. To learn more about our expertise in this sector, please visit the homepage for our dedicated manufacturing executive search practice. We look forward to reviewing your application.
