40 Under 40: Grant Smith

When he began with Winnebago in 2018, Grant Smith quickly learned the culture, product and industry, getting promoted to district sales manager until he took on a hybrid role managing a sales district and Winnebago’s Minnie and Voyage lines. In 2023, he was promoted to product manager and assumed full responsibility of all product lines within the Winnebago Towables portfolio.

Grant says a big accomplishment was developing strong and lasting relationships with Winnebago’s dealer network as a sales trainee and district sales manager.

Within that role and as the market normalized to post-COVID-19 conditions, Grant was instrumental in helping deliver two new products, Access and M-Series, overseeing the floorplan development and interior/exterior design of the Access series of travel trailers. The two lines maintain the market strategy and consumer expectations while offering a more affordable price point for consumers who want to enter the Winnebago brand earlier in their buying journey.

“Grant was instrumental is collaborating and driving operational efficiency within this calendar year, resulting in about a 10% labor hour reduction to reduce SKU and product complexity. This is one example where Grant thrives at the little details in product improvement, not always focusing on the ‘new floorplan’ or the ‘next’ in the portfolio of products,” one nominator wrote.

Prior to becoming a successful product manager for Winnebago Towables, Grant spent five years as a successful district sales manager building strong relationships with dealers. His experience allows him to listen well to many departments while seeking to understand different organizational needs within the different departments, balancing them well with ever-changing dealer and consumer needs.

“He articulates well internally as to ‘why’ we need to change or shift in product strategy and leans into each department to properly support them to help meet those needs. He has earned the trust of many internal team members to follow his vision and deliver on those changing consumer demands.”

Grant is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, fishing and disc golf. His latest hobby is accessorizing his Jeep Gladiator so he can continue backcountry camping trips with his wife and son.

Those who know Grant well say he is a foodie who’s always looking for the next great restaurant to try out.

Grant’s advice for upcoming leaders in the RV space:

“The people you work with are your biggest asset. There is no job position or status that should keep you from getting to know the individuals you work with.”