Senior Channel Partner Marketing Manager

Serving across both Rittal, LLC and Eplan, The Senior Channel Partner Marketing Manager is responsible for developing, executing, and optimizing marketing strategies that drive revenue growth through the company’s global, national and regional channel partners. This role requires a strong blend of strategic marketing expertise, relationship management, and an understanding of the industrial automation market. You will work closely with internal teams, including Chanel Partner Leadership & management, sales, product marketing, and marketing operations, as well as external channel partners, to develop joint marketing programs that support both company and partner goals. The successful candidate will ensure that partners are equipped with the right marketing tools, training, and content to effectively promote the company's products in their respective markets.

Location: Schaumburg, IL (Hybrid)
Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Alignment:
   1. Assess and Strategize Channel Alignment: Evaluate the relevance and alignment of authorized distributors to determine whether they are best positioned to represent Rittal, Eplan, or both brands; identify strategic opportunities for cross-brand synergy or where exclusivity is more effective.
   2. Maintain and Optimize Channel Partner Landscape: Own and manage a comprehensive and dynamic database of channel partners, clearly identifying brand alignment, exclusivity status, and cross-sell potential to support strategic growth initiatives across both organizations.
   3. Collaborate Across Channel Leadership: Partner closely with channel sales managers and directors from both Rittal and Eplan to develop unified or brand-specific marketing strategies that reflect each partner’s business model, capabilities, and market position.
2. Channel Marketing Strategy:
   1. Develop and lead the execution of global channel partner marketing strategies that align with business objectives and drive revenue growth.
   2. Design and implement joint marketing campaigns with key partners, focusing on lead generation, brand awareness, and sales enablement.
   3. Ensure marketing strategies are tailored to meet regional and local market needs, working closely with partner marketing teams to localize content and campaigns.
3. Partner Enablement & Support:
   1. Provide partners with the necessary marketing tools, collateral, and training to promote and sell the company's products effectively.
   2. Create and maintain a repository of co-branded marketing assets (e.g., brochures, presentations, case studies) and ensure partners are utilizing them properly.
   3. Conduct regular training sessions or webinars for partners to update them on new products, solutions, and marketing initiatives.
4. Collaborative Campaign Development:
   1. Collaborate with channel partners to develop joint marketing plans, defining shared goals and co-investment opportunities for campaigns, trade shows, and events.
   2. Work closely with product marketing teams to create technical content that helps partners articulate product value propositions to their customers.
   3. Align with internal sales teams to ensure that partner marketing initiatives support sales objectives and lead generation efforts.
5. Performance Tracking & Reporting:
   1. Track, analyze, and report on the performance of partner marketing programs, including lead generation, conversion rates, and revenue contribution.
   2. Provide insights and recommendations for continuous improvement based on performance data and feedback from partners.
   3. Develop and maintain a dashboard of key metrics to measure the success of channel partner marketing efforts and their impact on pipeline growth.
6. Budget Management:
   1. Manage the budget for channel partner marketing activities, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to high-impact programs.
   2. Evaluate and optimize partner marketing investments to maximize ROI and channel performance.
   3. Manage, administer, and track the use of the Market Development Funds (MDF) for the distribution partners.
7. Partner Relationship Management:
   1. Build and maintain strong relationships with key channel partners, acting as the primary point of contact for marketing-related initiatives.
   2. Conduct regular reviews with partners to assess marketing effectiveness, understand their evolving needs, and ensure alignment with company objectives.
   3. Audit and maintain channel partner marketing materials, website, literature, etc., that references Rittal for brand compliance.
   4. Participate in partner events, trade shows, and conferences to support partners’ marketing efforts and foster closer collaboration.
8. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   1. Collaborate with global marketing, sales, and product teams to ensure partner marketing initiatives are integrated with the overall business strategy.
   2. Work with marketing operations to ensure the smooth execution of joint marketing campaigns and timely delivery of assets to partners.
   3. Ensure consistent communication across teams to avoid overlaps and ensure resource allocation efficiency.
9. Market Research & Competitive Analysis:
   1. Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor activities, and channel marketing best practices.
   2. Provide insights and recommendations on market trends and competitor actions that may impact the company’s channel marketing strategies.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field. MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in channel or partner marketing, preferably within a B2B or industrial/technical sector.
• Proven experience working with global channel partners, distributors, or resellers.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation or similar technical industries is a plus.
• Experience developing and executing joint marketing programs with measurable success.
• Proficiency in using marketing automation platforms, CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and partner management platforms.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and projects simultaneously.
• Experience with budget management and demonstrating ROI for marketing activities.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and optimize channel marketing programs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented, with a strong focus on execution.
• High attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed (approximately 20%).

This job description is tailored to someone with deep experience in managing channel marketing relationships, with a focus on developing joint marketing initiatives in a technical, global B2B context. It highlights the need for a strategic thinker who can align marketing activities with business goals while supporting and enabling channel partners both locally and worldwide.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may contact the company’s Human Resources Department at (937) 399-0500.

This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.

Rittal LLC and Eplan are proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. EEO, including Disability/Vets.