Brian Kirkendall Email & Phone Number

Hopkins, Minnesota, US

As the Vice President, General Manager awesome new role leading the global Infrastructure Management business at Digi. Digi went to a business unit structure in October and I am lucky enough to lead the I M unit. We have a great team of collaborative sales people, smart marketers, innovative engineers and product managers that keep us looking out the.

Hopkins, Minnesota, US

Led product activity from concept to commercialization. Includes driving product strategy, innovation, roadmap, commercialization, customer engagement, sales enablement and training.

Copenhagen Ø, DK

• Member of Sr Leadership team and led Nilfisk entering autonomous cleaning market with unique market leading innovations. Promoted to lead global technical, engineering and product management teams in Minneapolis.
• Develop and build products that customers love across all Nilfisk product categories.
• Created and implemented the strategy leading to four global development centers supporting multiple product lines.
• Connect with key global customers and sales teams to drive application understanding and leverage that to drive global product portfolio and product development priorities.
• Present quarterly update and annual strategic plan to the Nilfisk Leadership Team.
• Lead development of Autonomous (robotic) product portfolio working with key technology partners.

Copenhagen Ø, DK

• VP of Industrial. Promoted to lead an initiative to be best in class for quality and on-time distribution between production, procurement, and engineering. Identified and implemented a plan that led to being #1 in.
• Managed Industrial business P&L.
• Led value engineering of #1 selling Nilfisk Industrial product resulting in savings on both part cost and labor cost.
• Built a new engineering and product team focused on “Good enough isn’t good enough” quality principals.

Copenhagen Ø, DK

• Promoted to lead team accountable for commercializing new autonomous products as well as leading product management and product development for Nilfisk Industrial Machines plus Global Parts and Accessories.
• Led global customer insight development for Nilfisk to enter Autonomous (Robotic) cleaning market.
• Drove increased sales and margin in the USA for the industrial channel.
• Led and executed Product Modularity 2.0 initiative resulting in 5 new product platforms in 3 years while reducing capital expense.

Copenhagen Ø, DK

• Led product management team that identified opportunities, managed the global product portfolio, developed new product business cases and managed three brands including global commercialization.
• Developed the first product platform in the cleaning industry that can be powered by either battery, hybrid engine or hydrogen fuel cell and remains the top selling platform for Nilfisk Industrial today.
• Created global launch excellence program bringing together all key regions into global launches.

• Startup business doing retail product development and business growth consulting.
• Consulted for 10 months as GM with Western Integrated Systems in Sacramento, CA to develop and implement a marketing and business plan for growth spending three weeks a month in CA and one week in MN. o Led new focused.
• Developed and executed multi-SKU product program for Epionce cosmetics.
• Earned listings in private label kitchen and camping program for Menards Stores.
• Developed and shipped 8 SKU exclusive electronics program for mid-sized retailer with 125+ stores.
• Led several marketing consulting projects for companies from Sherwin Williams to Oatey Products.

Medina, Minnesota, US

• Global Powersports Leader, owner of Polaris Off-road, Polaris Snowmobiles, Victory Motorcycles and Indian Motorcycles. Victory Motorcycles was a $250M division of Polaris Industries that was shut down in 2016. Led the.
• Led Victory Motorcycles to the largest sales volume and profit year in its history (2013) and grew market share.
• Developed aggressive Victory creative and brand strategy including TV advertising and heavy digital lead generation.
• Developed and launched Victory Gunner motorcycle in Q1 2014: the #1 selling new product for Victory in five years. Product launch produced the #1 web traffic day for any brand at Polaris, 100% PR participation by key.
• Drove a 3X increase in dealer participation with a new local marketing approach including direct mail, radio and digital marketing campaigns aligned with new aggressive national TV brand creative.
• Led sku rationalization efforts that reduced model count by 30% resulting in increased plant utilization and increased sales availability on newer models driving sales and profit gains.

US

• $500M+ subsidiary of TTI Floor Care; owner of the Dirt Devil, Hoover, Oreck and Royal brands. Recruited to build and lead Product and Channel Management teams. Later promoted to lead all aspects of marketing.
• Marketing executive on senior leadership team that reversed a 10-year sales and profit decline.
• Spearheaded and executed new product plans increasing sales and profit margins 10+ points.
• Led acquisition and integration of Nutek Chemical Company to advance Hoover cleaning solutions.
• Drove strategic plan that led to Hoover becoming the #1 selling vacuum brand online.
• Collaborated with Amazon.com on a Hoover brand storefront and all new A+ pages leading to 100%+ sales increase.

Streetsboro, Ohio, US

• $150M+ global toy and lawn & garden company bought by Liberty Partners Private Equity Group in 2006. Recruited to start up the marketing function as member of the senior management team. Led team responsible for.
• Built and led product team responsible for increasing global sales 10% while also increasing gross margin through strategic product development and SKU rationalization.
• Created a new Step 2 brand identity through “one voice / one look” initiative involving logo development, packaging, advertising, digital marketing, trade shows and corporate ID.
• Increased step2direct.com sales by 50% while also increasing retailer internet sales.
• Implemented formal product development process resulting in increased execution and reduced time to market.
• Led integration of the Infantino and Thinkativity acquisitions.

Hudson, OH, US

• $350M+ subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid focused on infant and toddler toys. Sold to MGA Entertainment in Nov 2006. Recruited to build and lead new marketing teams to turn around declining sales and profits. Led teams in.
• Drove a 200% increase in operating income from 2001 to 2006 through strategic new product development and effective mix management aligned with strong brand and digital marketing.
• Reduced product development costs over 10% while growing from 35 new SKUs a year to over 100 new SKUs.
• Increased focus on digital marketing including a new web platform generating $15 million of incremental sales.
• Key player in the sale of Little Tikes to MGA Entertainment in November 2006.
• Developed a Product Development Review (PDR) process bringing together sales goals and product development.

US

$2B largest global marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products. Overhauled Scotts Lawn Pro program (26 SKU line sold exclusively in nurseries and hardware dealers) growing sales from $70M to $120M in three years. Marketer of the Year Award Winner - 2000.

New Britain, CT, US

$6B leading global manufacturer and marketer of power tools and home improvement products. Created new $500M+ cordless category by developing the top selling DeWALT Jobsite Radio. Delivered $150M in incremental sales at 40%+ GM by launching a new cordless drill line. DeWALT top performer sales award winner for three years.

Towson, MD, US

Ranked #3 nationally in sales growth taking one of the largest territories in country to new heights*Converted top 5 key account targets to DeWALT tools and accessories*Continued growing current accounts with effective merchandising and promotions

Towson, MD, US

Member of first DeWALT sales team calling on Lowe's storesResponsible for growing sales in 52 store Lowe's Southeast region across Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Business Administration And Management, General

Completed One Year Of Mba Studies Then Promoted To Baltimore, Business Administration