Executing Global Strategy to Achieve Results
As Textron Systems’ vice president of marketing and communications, Kim Schleiff is responsible for developing and executing the worldwide communications strategy for the $1.6 billion multi-industry leader.
With ultimate goals of profitable growth and expansion for the company’s eight operating units, Schleiff focuses on strategically marketing Textron Systems’ innovative products and services that meet the needs of both military and commercial customers.
Her colleagues identify her as a results-oriented leader with exceptional people skills who knows how to pioneer change and manage teams to achieve results.
Schleiff was promoted to her executive marketing and communications role two years ago and previously held various positions conceptualizing and implementing marketing and sales efforts for various Textron Inc. businesses.
Schleiff joined Textron Specialized Vehicles in 2004, where she led cross-functional teams, focusing on bringing a customer insight voice to the new product development process. Two years later, she successfully mentored 16 Green Belts to certification with an average cycle time of six months and $1.9 million in savings. In 2008, she accepted a managerial role working with leadership teams as a thought partner in identifying, investigating and addressing key strategic growth initiatives to drive financial performance.
Five years ago, she accepted a channel manager position at Textron’s Greenlee business where she developed and implemented product marketing and commercialization plans for new and legacy products in the electrical, telecommunication and utility markets. Shortly after, she was promoted to director of marketing, communications and retail sales where she led a team focused on driving customer demand, distribution growth and process optimization. In her current position, she develops effective marketing and communication strategies focusing on the growth and profitability of Textron Systems’ eight operating units. Her colleagues describe her as an intuitive and remarkable leader who motivates her team through her positive attitude and dedication.
Schleiff expressed that becoming a Six Sigma Blackbelt was her biggest career leap because it exposed her to areas of the business outside of marketing, including manufacturing, finance, strategic sourcing and service branch networks. “It introduced me to lean principles and provided me the opportunity to drive change and lead cross-functional teams,” she said.
Schleiff holds a BA in English and computer application programming from the University of Notre Dame.
