Product Specialist I

The Product Specialist I demonstrates solid tool knowledge and has a passion for using tools and equipment. The product specialist I may work individually and/or with a group, verifying conformance to industry and regulatory safety standards; and prepares written test reports. Participate in Product demos, Line Reviews, and assist Category and Sourcing team with product decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts written test reports from beginning to completion in a web based software program (Platypus).
• Provide technical expertise and interact with various entities (Catman, GS, Packaging, etc.) within the organization
• Actively participate in product demonstrations and help aid in decision-making process
• Assist Product Specialist II and build fixtures
• Tests and qualifies product for sale in our retail stores
• Functions test tools and equipment
• Verifies conformance to industry and regulatory safety standards
• Works with electronic testing equipment, small motor dynamometer, environmental chambers, hardness tester, and general hand tools
• Prepares written test reports in a web based software program
• Participates in the analytical review of new or revised parts, materials, and products; including Pareto charts and Excel graphs.
• Become autonomous in Testing and fixture building for their own assignments.
• Preparation for product review to include setup of product, customer web reviews, and 1 pager of sales and returns data.
• Demonstrates basic tool knowledge and has a passion for using tools and equipment
• Participates in Product demos, Line Reviews, and assist Category and Sourcing team with product decisions
• Maintenance/Cleaning of Lab.
• Occasional overtime required
• Additional duties as assigned by manager.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of the job.

Scope

• Supervises staff - No
• Financial Scope - No
• Organizational Scope – All US locations/Single Category/Region/District/Distribution Center
• Travel – No
• Responsible for Maintaining Confidential Information – Yes

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The anticipated range for this position is $24.18 – $36.25 per hour depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as early access to pay, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.

Job Qualifications – Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of related experience
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Experience as a contractor, construction, carpenter, welder, plumber, auto mechanic and uses the corresponding tools with basic to intermediate knowledge
• Familiarity with structural carpentry tools to include the repair and maintenance of small industrial tools that are used in the field of general construction
• Familiarity with detail carpentry tools to include selection, tool application and safe tool usage
• Hands on, able to disassemble, trouble shoot, and assemble various types of products
• Experience with report writing computer skills in and Excel, web search, and e-mail
• Experience with test, repairing, or professional trade work with consumer tools and equipment
• Ability to work in a team setting and have a strong attention to detail
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Computer skills in Excel, web search, and e-mail
• Advanced technical courses at college level or trade school a plus
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:

• Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time
• Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone
• Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports
• Lift up to 45 lbs.

The anticipated range for this position is $24.18 – $36.25 per hour depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 136 hours per year, including 16 hours of Floating Holidays and paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law. The Company observes 12.5 paid holidays.

We’re a 45 year-old, $8 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth potential of a start-up. We have over 1,600 stores in 48 states across the country and are opening several new locations every week. We offer our customers more than 7,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools. We provide our customers with the right tool for the right job at the right price, always delivering quality and value.