Exclusive Brands Project Manager

Since 1941 our organization, a Fortune 1000 company, has been supplying our customers with the solutions and services they need to build great things. In the process, we've built a great company that more than 6,500 associates are proud to be a part of. We've worked hard to become the #1 metalworking distributor and one of the country's leading distributors of maintenance, repair and operations solutions. We remain committed to being the best and hiring the best. That's because we believe every associate contributes to our success.

• Assists in the development and execution of multi-year strategic business plans for assigned Exclusive Brands (EB) product lines, targeting and realizing sustainable sales growth and profitability improvements. Aligns EB product line plans with the various business owners overall strategic plan. Manages, with Product Managers, all aspects of the P&L for EB product lines.

• Effectively presents and communicates strategic business plans cross functionally to other managers in the organization.

• Forms and maintains strategic relationships with Product Managers & EB key suppliers to maximize sales growth and profitability improvement. Conducts & participates in supplier meetings to facilitate collaboration, problem solving, business planning, troubleshooting etc.

• Drives supply chain cost reductions for EB product lines with Product Managers by working with suppliers and fulfillment centers in areas such as packaging, PO identification, item labeling, product identification, forecasting, quality, etc.

• Collaborates with Product Management to maximize supplier engagement with both global and domestic key EB supplier negotiations including but not limited to acquisition costs, terms, rebates, supplier agreements, product rationalizations, field support etc. Assist Product Managers with effective negotiation skills and strategies.

• Leads the relationship with Product Management for effective EB product line merchandising and promotional strategies for multiple market channels, catalogs, brands, E-Comm and geographic locations.

• Cross functionally works with Product Managers to develop EB product line sell price strategy in line with management guidelines and brand positioning strategies. Prices and positions products relative to market opportunities and competition.

• With business owners, strategically drive the expansion of EB product lines and product line innovation/services to ensure high customer value, market share gain and net profitability improvement.

• Works closely with and supports the Field Sales teams on EB product line selling strategies, discounting guidelines, training initiatives, field sales support from suppliers and through the EB brand support emails.

• Develops fiscal plans and reports monthly on the progress of select EB product line sales and service levels.

• Drives constant improvement to EB value proposition and customer value add by continually understanding customer’s priorities for our EBs and by identifying unmet needs.

• Drives the identification of opportunities for Exclusive Brand expansion with business owners through competitive analysis and market research. Develops and executes brand plans inclusive of but not limited to product positioning, price/discount strategies, assortment planning, souring requirements, packaging, patent review, sales and marketing campaigns etc.

MUST-HAVES

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Management or equivalent exp.

Min 5 yrs. of exp. in business development, distribution, product management

Excellent analytical skills are required.

Strong negotiation skills are required.

Supplier management (third party or systems management) exp. required

NICE-TO-HAVES

Minimum of 2 years of experience managing associates and or special projects

Business plan development experience preferred.

Knowledge and understanding of procurement and inventory practices

Budget development and management skills are preferred.

Inventory Management, Merchandising and Purchasing experience preferred

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.