Sr. Channel Marketing Manager

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. This role is based in Ashland City, TN, with a hybrid workplace setting.

About the role

The Senior Manager, Channel Marketing is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and execution of integrated marketing strategies across wholesale and retail sales channels. This role serves as the primary marketing leader for channel initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and overall corporate strategy. The position leads channel marketing efforts across multiple brands and customer segments, partnering closely with Sales, Brand Marketing, Digital Marketing, Product Management, Engineering, Customer Service, Training, and key customer stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of wholesale and retail channel marketing strategies that drive revenue growth, customer engagement, and market share.
• Establish annual channel marketing plans aligned with corporate objectives and customer priorities.
• Identify growth opportunities through market analysis, customer insights, and competitive intelligence.
• Collaborate with Sales leadership and key customers to develop joint business and marketing plans.
• Lead market research initiatives to understand field needs, buying behaviors, and path to purchase.
• Oversee competitive intelligence efforts and communicate actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Translate research findings into strategic recommendations that improve channel performance and customer experience.
• Direct the development and execution of integrated omni-channel marketing programs across retail and wholesale channels.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication of new products, promotions, and brand initiatives.
• Oversee creation of customer-facing marketing assets including literature, digital content, merchandising, packaging, signage, advertising, events, and promotional materials.
• Drive expansion of digital marketing capabilities to support customer onboarding, engagement, and retention.
• Lead co-op marketing programs, customer promotional initiatives, trade shows, customer events, and channel-specific campaigns.
• Partner with customer marketing teams to maximize program effectiveness and ROI.
• Support online merchandising efforts and optimization of digital customer experiences.
• Develop and mentor channel marketing team members through coaching, performance management, and capability building.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment to ensure resources and priorities support channel objectives.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to accelerate execution and drive results.
• Develop, manage, and optimize channel marketing budgets.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and marketing ROI.
• Ensure resources are allocated to initiatives with the greatest strategic and commercial impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive marketing experience, including channel, trade, customer, or brand marketing.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders across functions.
• Experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communication strategies.
• Knowledge of both B2B and B2C marketing principles and practices.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience leveraging market research and business insights.
• Experience managing budgets and marketing investments.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits plans including medical and dental insurance
• Company-sponsored life insurance
• Retirement security savings plan
• Short- and long-term disability programs
• Tuition assistance