John Mays

Promoted with expanded multi-functional and multi-team responsibilities for global product lines and categories.

Promoted to VP with expanded responsibilities managing the global product portfolio across all categories while continuing to evolve the global Product Management team and function to manage internally manufactured, contract manufactured, and externally sourced products end-to-end.

Hired to support a company turnaround following a recent PE ownership change and tasked with implementing a global Product Management function and team aimed at restoring product portfolio competitiveness and regaining lost market share via best in-class 4P management: lifecycle mgmt, rationalization, new product development, product enhancements, new customer line review best practices, new packaging-merchandising-pricing-marketing strategies.

Supported publicly traded, private equity, and startup clients in multiple CPG categories and diverse industries on key strategic product related initiatives by helping to drive action and improvement across the 4Ps: Line Reviews, Product Portfolio Lifecycles, Market Insights, P&L, Customer Strategy, Lifecycles, Brand Marketing, Licensing, Pricing, Packaging, Merchandising, Roadmaps, Rationalization, Business Cases, Innovation, Stage-Gate New Product Design-Development-Commercialization-NPI, Sourcing, Engineering, Manufacturing

Private Equity Owned Hired to support a company turnaround by being tasked to implement and lead newly created Product Management and Product Development functions and teams while improving R&D, new product development, and marketing functions steered by world-class Product & Brand Management, Insights, and Innovation. Delivered numerous product and marketing enhancements, rescued the development and launch of the #1 product in company history, and spearheaded the ideation, scoping, feasibility, and initial development of the new “Apex line” launched in 2025 that has received industry accolades and awards. Drove revenue & margin growth for the global business across Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale, Club, Professional channels and customers serving DIY consumer and professional end-users by leading and influencing cross functional improvement across the 4Ps including Product Portfolio Lifecycles, Market Insights, P&L, Customer Strategy, Lifecycles, Brand Marketing, Licensing, Pricing, Packaging, Merchandising, Roadmaps, Rationalization, Innovation, Stage-Gate New Product Design-Development-Commercialization-NPI, Sourcing, Engineering, Manufacturing

Supported publicly traded, private equity, and startup clients in multiple industries on key strategic projects, initiatives, and high priority goals by coaching/advising/leading cross-functional 4P best practices (product lifecycle, strategy, pricing, marketing, merchandising, pkg, innovation, mfg, supply chain, sourcing, product development, engineering)

Privately Owned Hired to lead, revamp, & improve the Product Management and Product Development functions and teams while influencing a company culture transformation to becoming a consumer+customer centric product-led organization steered by world-class Product Management, Insights, and Innovation. Drove record revenue & margin growth for the global business across Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale, Club, Professional channels and customers serving DIY consumer and professional end-users by leading and influencing cross functional improvement across the 4Ps including Product Portfolio Lifecycles, new product development, Market Insights, P&L, Customer Strategy, Lifecycles, Brand Marketing, Licensing, Pricing, Packaging, Merchandising, Roadmaps, Rationalization, Innovation, Stage-Gate New Product Design-Development-Commercialization-NPI, Sourcing, Engineering, Manufacturing

Private Equity Owned Hired to create and implement a Product Management function to steer the company towards strategic growth via world-class Product + Brand Management, Insights, and Innovation. Drove revenue & margin growth across Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale channels and customers by leading and influencing improvement across the 4Ps including line reviews, Product Portfolio Lifecycles, Market Insights, P&L, Customer Strategy, Lifecycles, Brand Marketing, Licensing, Pricing, Packaging, Merchandising, Roadmaps, Rationalization, Innovation, Stage-Gate New Product Design-Development-Commercialization-NPI, Sourcing, Engineering, Manufacturing

Founded, grew, and exited a successful customer-focused B2B + B2C trailer manufacturing and sales business that included the creation of a new branded trailer line consisting of enclosed, utility, dump, car hauler, toy hauler, and equipment type trailers.

Hired from outside the industry to lead the company’s largest global product portfolio by leveraging CPG product & brand management cross-functional 4P best practices (product lifecycle, strategy, pricing, marketing, merchandising, pkg, innovation, mfg, supply chain, sourcing, product development, engineering) leading to the development of a $300 million innovation pipeline that delivered growth in spite of a global oil market crash John left the company after 18 months and relocated back to Ohio due to his father being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Hired from outside the industry to lead the company’s largest product portfolio (North America Residential Cooling) by leveraging CPG product & brand management cross-functional 4P best practices (product lifecycle, strategy, pricing, marketing, merchandising, pkg, innovation, mfg, supply chain, sourcing, product development, engineering). Partnered cross functionally to deliver a record revenue year while leading the development of the companies largest innovation program to deliver needed product updates to meet the US government’s new 2015 energy requirements for the HVAC industry. John left Lennox after 13 months and relocated to Houston due to his fiancé being treated at MD Anderson in Houston for cancer.

Nominated and promoted by P&G executive leadership to make a career change into Brand + Product Management as the first ever ABM assigned to lead growth on (3) of P&Gs flagship billion dollar brands including Tide, Downy, Bounce. Partnered cross functionally with brand managers, directors, and executives to deliver record revenue growth by driving multi-brand cross-functional 4P best practices (product lifecycle, strategy, pricing, brand marketing, merchandising, pkg, innovation, mfg, supply chain, sourcing, product development, engineering), strategies and tactics that were then reapplied to other categories and brands at P&G. John left P&G after 7 years with a promising career trajectory to relocate to Texas to be near his fiancé who was sick with cancer.

Lead efforts for global product improvement, value enhancements, cost outs, new supplier development, capacity improvements, and new product launches

Led a team of 50+ technicians and engineers to deliver manufacturing and operational goals, including throughput and production improvement, cost savings, breakdown reductions, quality improvement, material savings, safety risk reductions, HSE, new product startups, new equipment & production line startups,, autonomous maintenance programs, engineering, ergonomics, why why root cause analysis, mechanical troubleshooting and enhancement, automation & robotics initiatives.

Founded, grew, and exited a commercial and residential property management and maintenance services business.