Strategic Planner

Working at Watlow

Watlow is a global technology and manufacturing leader who provides world class engineering expertise through innovative thermal products and systems, enabling our customers to thrive. We are making a positive impact every day as our solutions enrich the lives of people everywhere. We have been providing breakthrough thermal solutions for over 100 years! Our corporate values guide us uncompromisingly to always do the right thing, continually learn and improve, respect everyone, and lead with service and humility.

At Watlow's Global Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, we combine a rich legacy with forward-thinking innovation. Founded in 1922 in the heart of St. Louis, Watlow has grown from a small heating element manufacturer into a global leader in thermal systems. Our headquarters is more than just an office, it's a hub for collaboration, advanced engineering, and customer-focused solutions.

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We are hiring a: Strategic Planner

St. Louis, MO (Onsite)

Watlow is seeking a Strategic Planner that will play a critical role in shaping and driving enterprise and business unit strategy at Watlow, ensuring alignment with long-term growth objectives and the Watlow Operating System. This position partners closely with executive leadership to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, connecting high-level goals to operational execution across Growth, SIOP, and Profit Planning processes. The role also supports long-range financial planning, scenario analysis, and cross-functional alignment across Product, Commercial, Operations, and Finance teams.

In this role, the Strategic Planner will lead and coordinate strategy deployment, conduct market and competitive analyses, and support growth initiatives, including M&A activities and business case development. The successful candidate will synthesize complex data into executive-ready insights and presentations for the CEO, CFO, COO, and enterprise leadership. This position requires a hands-on, results-driven professional who can influence across functions, ensure accountability, and help drive measurable business outcomes while maintaining alignment with the organization's strategic vision.

What You'll Do:

• Drive strategic planning: Support development of enterprise and business unit plans, including 3-5 year growth roadmaps.
• Analyze markets and opportunities: Conduct competitive, market, and growth assessments across key industrial segments.
• Reinforce operational excellence: Support Watlow Operating System processes, including Growth reviews, SIOP, and Profit Planning.
• Lead strategy execution: Coordinate strategy deployment across business units to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Support M&A and growth initiatives: Assist with target screening, market diligence, and development of business case analyses.
• Align initiatives to metrics: Ensure strategic projects are tied to operating performance and execution rhythms.
• Partner with Finance: Contribute to long-range financial planning and scenario analysis to help guide business decisions.
• Communicate to leadership: Develop executive-ready presentations and track progress of strategic initiatives across the enterprise.

What youll need to succeed?

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field
• 3-7 years of experience in strategy, business analysis, consulting, or industrial operations
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills to translate complex data into actionable insights
• Proficient in creating executive-ready presentations and slide decks (PowerPoint or equivalent) for CEO, CFO, and leadership audiences
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed organization
• Ability to connect strategic concepts to operational execution
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field
• Experience in industrial manufacturing or similar operational environments
• Exposure to enterprise-level strategic planning, growth initiatives, or M&A activities
• Familiarity with operational processes like SIOP, profit planning, and performance management systems

Benefits: The Watlow Total Compensation Plan

The health, well-being and financial stability of you and your family is a high priority to us.The Watlow Total Rewards Plan includes competitive compensation and a full range of life and career enhancing benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
• Wellness incentives
• Employee Personal Assistance Program
• Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

Diversity & Inclusion

We proactively embrace diversity in all its dimensions across our company and cultivate a culture of inclusion and forward thinking that respects and reflects each team member's individual strengths, views, and experiences. Watlow takes pride in being an inclusive equal opportunity employer and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Please let us know confidentially if you need or require any special accommodations to participate in our recruiting process by emailing us at accommodations@Watlow.com.