At Batory Foods, we encourage our team to Bring YOU, Every Day because true success starts with the ability to be yourself and letting your unique talents shine. Since 1979, the heart of our success has been our people. The Friedman family established a legacy of generosity, warmth, and respect. And with core values like Invest in Relationships and Be Relentless About Improvement, each member of our team consistently strives for excellence to uphold that legacy—whether it’s related to the employee experience, our processes, or the customer journey. Join our team today and help us build a better tomorrow, together.

Benefits:

14 paid holidays with a end of year holiday refresh break

Health, Vision and Dental Insurance

Profit-Sharing program

Tuition reimbursement program

Be Positively Excellent well-being program

Term Life Insurance Plan

Standard Disability Plan

The Product Specialist is tasked with learning and understanding all products managed within the group. The incumbent assists the Sourcing Product Manager with the daily management and administration of the assigned lines within the group. The Product Specialist will have thorough knowledge of the products and vendors under the responsibility of the group and will be a key contact point for the sales force and customer service team. Unique to this Group, the Product Specialist will need to develop a basic understanding of the product line markets and pricing platforms for both domestic and international markets.

This position will be located in Rosemont, IL and reports to the Director of the business unit.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the effective management of all lines assigned to the Group by working closely with Product Management (PM), key vendors, and various internal customers.
  • Learn product characteristics, functionality, and uses of assigned products and obtain an understanding of how markets price products. Assist in setting up and hosting vendor training.
  • Assist PM in developing market and sales strategies by region for product lines and work directly with Sales to educate and support product line sales growth.
  • Assist PM with product marketing campaigns including development and maintenance of Product Manager’s market page and route lead specifics to sales.
• Develop a working knowledge of the products assigned to the group.
  • Train with the assigned PM’s, attend industry and vendor sponsored training along with industry conferences approved by the Management Team.
  • Become fluent in differing product line cost models and develop an understanding of product line margin structures with ability to quote the Sales Team as needed. Fluency in costing both spot and traditional distribution business.
  • Assist PM as required with sales training and customer presentations.
  • Assist PM with identifying current global trends and share knowledge with with Sales.
• Work with Sourcing Product Manager and Procurement Coordinators concerning vendor and customer contract origination through execution.
  • Understand the Supply Planning Group’s input into product Regularly meet with and verify sales teams forecasting.
  • Develop a vendor contract tracking and reporting process, sharing on a quarterly basis.
  • Track customer contracts as they become Develop a review and reporting process that aligns customer and vendor contracts.
  • Regularly review and take action against the dormant/expiring reports.
  • PO entry to support team as needed may be required.
• Assume primary responsibility for feedback on samples of items managed by the Group.
  • Work with Batory samples administrator when vendor samples are needed.
  • Develop and manage a sample report for the group including taking the lead to follow up with sales team on obtaining feedback.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of Batory’s ERP system to include functions related to both Product Management and Procurement Coordinators.
  • Be a subject matter expert in current and future ERP systems, leveraging the knowledge to support team information and reporting requests.
• Actively review supply chains to identify improvements in inefficiencies including but not limited to transportation, warehousing, and packaging.
• Assist in setting up product returns through communication with the vendor and working with the Procurement Coordinators to ensure return is properly processed for credit.
• Lead the review, cultivation, and modeling of a commercial cost structure to prepare the Sourcing Product Manager with the ability to cost effectively on a monthly basis.
• Implement a monthly review of lost business, both internal and external facing.

Personal Qualifications:

• Promotes trust in all actions with high integrity and honesty.
• Supports an environment that encourages professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration both internally and externally.
• Is an energetic, self-starter able to work independently, when necessary, with minimal oversight.
• Detail oriented with excellent project and time management skills. Must be able to prioritize and operate in a constantly changing environment. Ability to follow up and keep projects on task essential.
• Must be proficient with basic software applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) as well as business ERP systems.

Education and Formal Training:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a focus in science, food science or business administration, or an equivalent combination of work experience and education.
• Five years progressive work experience in a business environment with at least three years in food ingredients or food manufacturing.
• Experience in a product management or purchasing environment with exposure to sales, vendors, logistics and customer service.
• Demonstrated food industry knowledge with exposure to ingredient sourcing.

Batory Foods in an equal opportunity employer which considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, Batory Foods also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify us immediately.