Product Category Manager – Smart Homes & Underfloor Heating (EU Remote) in Birmingham

IMI plc is a global specialist engineering company that creates breakthrough solutions. We are curious and like to solve problems, partnering with our customers to solve the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. We embrace innovation and care about outcomes that are good for business, everyday life and making a better world – creating lasting impact for everyone.

We design, build and service highly engineered products in fluid and motion control applications. We focus on five market sectors: Industrial Automation, Process Automation, Climate Control, Life Science and Fluid Control, and Transport. Climate Control offers hydraulic solutions for water-based heating and cooling systems to achieve a perfect indoor climate with minimal energy consumption. Our leading brands have been used in over 100,000 building projects worldwide and offer products and solutions in three key areas: Pressure maintenance and water quality, regulation, control and actuators, and thermostatic control.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Smart Home and Underfloor Heating Product Category Manager to join our team. This role is open to candidates across Europe and can be based in any country where we have a legal entity. As a Product Category Manager, you will be responsible for defining and executing the global strategy for the Smart Home and Underfloor Heating Product Category, within the overall Residential Portfolio strategy. This includes managing the entire product lifecycle, driving innovation based on market and customer insights, and ensuring alignment with business objectives and market trends. The Product Category Manager works cross-functionally to optimize portfolio performance, margin, and market share.

What You’ll Do

• Define and execute the global category strategy in line with Residential Portfolio objectives.
• Own the full product lifecycle, from concept to phase‑out, optimizing portfolio performance, margins, and SKU complexity.
• Translate customer, market, and competitive insights into clear product and feature roadmaps.
• Drive customer‑led innovation by identifying meaningful problems and delivering differentiated solutions.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain to support product development, launches, and go‑to‑market activities.
• Shape value‑based pricing, positioning, and messaging in collaboration with Pricing and Marketing teams.
• Support key customer interactions, forecasting, and regional planning with strong market intelligence.

Key Competencies

• A degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or related field) or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in product management, portfolio management, technical sales, or related roles, ideally within HVAC, hydronics, or smart home technologies.
• Strong commercial mindset with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making.
• Solid understanding of product lifecycle management and customer‑centric innovation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑influencing skills across cultures and functions.
• A collaborative, proactive mindset with the ability to lead through influence.
• Fluency in English and willingness to travel internationally (approx. 25–35%, seasonal).

Why Join Us:

• Opportunity to support the growth of the IMI Climate business whilst being part of a large organisation with over 10,000 employees in 50+ countries.
• Be part of a company at the forefront of innovation, improving the quality of life for our customers and communities.
• Personal growth, career development and networking opportunities within the business, division or the wider Group.
• Be part of a company that is committed to inclusion and diversity.
• Attractive remuneration package including a range of wellbeing benefits.

Health & Safety

The physical demands described within the Key Duties & Responsibilities section of this job description are required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Please contact your local HR representative to discuss the specific Work Conditions and Physical Requirements of this role.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Duties – At IMI, we are all personally committed to protecting our people, minimising our impact on the environment, the communities we operate in and our company. All members of our workforce have the duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of themselves, others, and the environment. Every employee is expected to follow all HSE operating procedures, also to challenge any observed behaviours or unsafe acts.

Code of Ethics

IMI requires the highest standard of ethics in all business dealings, particularly with customers, suppliers, advisors, employees, and the authorities. In accordance with the IMI Way: Our Code of Responsible Business.

IMI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, colour, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.