Product Manager

POSITION OBJECTIVE:
The Product Manager is responsible for driving profitable sales by creating and owning a customer centric product assortment that delivers the highest profit margin possible while maintaining a competitive offering to our sales channel.

SCOPE: The Product Manager will manage a portfolio of approximately $15M - $30M in COGs.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Product Manager is responsible for the following:

• In partnership with leadership, develop category strategies for the most efficient product portfolio within their product categories to meet customer needs in a dynamic market environment. This included deep understanding of market opportunity, competitive landscape, definition of category role, articulation of key tactics, and development of product line structure and brand strategy
• Execution/implementation of the defined category strategy, including proper selection of products to meet product line structure, suppliers and brands (including private where desirable)
• Responsible for merchandising product assortment through our catalogue and digital assets to ensure customers can easily find and choose the best product to meet their needs
• Responsible for performance management of the designated category through regular analysis and completion of performance routines
• Responsible for coordinating, managing, maintaining, and ensuring the accuracy of item master data to ensure smooth customer experiences through our assortment
• Negotiate all elements of assigned supplier relationships to ensure lowest total cost of procurement, including: product cost, performance metrics, rebates, etc.
• Conducts line reviews on a routine basis or as warranted by poor supplier performance, changing customer requirements, market conditions, or competitive situations
• Responsible for securing, and compliance to, Supplier Agreement Letters, Confidential Line Summaries and Compliance Certificates for all assigned suppliers
• Develop broad and deep relationships with assigned core suppliers in order to optimize operational, financial and market performance
• Lead and manage one or more product specialists where necessary, including recruiting, hiring, on boarding, training, motivating, recognizing, and managing performance
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Customer Experience, Supply Chain, Product Management, Marketing and, Finance to support the business and continuously improve
• Build and execute sales and promotional strategies
• Support Sellers, CE TMs, and customers (both external and internal)
• Quarterly branch and/or seller interaction
  
  
  KPIs:
• Sales$, Gross Margin $, Margin %, E&O, Vendor Income (Rebate/Co-op)
  
  COMPETENCIES:
• Ability to build category strategies based on customer insights and building product portfolios that deliver against strategy.
• Experience managing product portfolios with various strategic priorities (e.g. sales growth, margin growth, inventory optimization, etc.)
• Ability to drive profitable sales by creating appropriate strategies and incentives to increase existing customer share of wallet, or increasing market share
• Ability to effectively present information via verbal and written presentations to all levels of the organization
• Comfortable in ambiguity and strives for continuous improvement; recognizes opportunities to benefit department and broader organization
• Ability to lead cross functional projects or initiatives
• Strong financial acumen and capable of articulating the financial story
• Strategic and analytical ability; demonstrated ability to make decisions based on both qualitative and quantitative information
• Experience driving results through vendor relationship and negotiations such as contract negotiation and supplier performance
• Exceptional customer service mindset
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines in a fast-changing environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to relate to people at all levels of the organization and build trusted relationships
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and learning agility
  
  
  EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum 4 years of related experience in Purchasing, Manufacturing or Distribution business, with a focus on growing top line sales, margin and customer experience
• Experience with financial forecasting and P&L management or similar supply chain analytics (e.g. inventory management)
• Demonstrated success in developing sales driving strategies that resulted in increased sales and profitability
• Experience working in a multi-channel distribution or retail environment
• Experience working with large SKU sets and complex item master data
• Bachelor's degree in Business /Commerce or equivalent; MBA strongly preferred but not necessary
  
  Grainger strives to be an employer of choice, to attract and retain top diverse talent, and to provide a safe and positive work environment for all of its team members. As part of Grainger hiring process, pre-employment background checks will be required for all external candidates. Internal candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment background check when they move from a non-driving role to a driving role and/or a director role and above position.
  
  In accordance with Performance Excellence guidelines, team members are encouraged to apply for positions closely matching their experience/background and that are aligned with their Individual Development Plan. Grainger is committed to the principles and practices of employment equity. We invite all qualified women and men, including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and Aboriginal Peoples to apply for our career opportunities. Accommodations are available on request for all persons with disabilities taking part in the selection process.