What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mgr, Product Category I position at Novo Distribution Llc?
Position Summary
The Product Category I Manager will be responsible for new program creation, market/store specific SKU selection, marketing assistance and merchandising coordination. They will also focus on program metrics, the day-to-day SKU management of ongoing programs including the efficient management of discontinued/obsolete SKUs as well as the assistance in preparing for line reviews or other customer events. The person in this position will work towards maintaining a positive working relationship with select contacts within the customer’s organization.
Essential Responsibilities
- Develops a full understanding of the program components and organizational structure within Novo to perform duties effectively and efficiently.
- Executes the program within the NHC group once an agreement with the customer has been reached to include coordination among all internal functional areas within the company.
- Researches market specific product needs to ensure appropriate SKU mix for all customer locations.
- Develops and executes store specific Plan-o-gram (POGs) as needed and is responsible to create those POGs, if they are not completed timely.
- Generates reports and analyzes the data for customers, using the data to better manage the process for the benefit of the customer as well as for Novo.
- Manages SKU set up and pricing maintenance.
- Provides key or secondary support to the Sales Director/Manager in managing the customer’s account. This includes daily/routine contact with select staff at the home center’s corporate office and the individual stores.
- Supplies support to all appropriate functional areas impacting the sales, service, marketing, and merchandising functions related to the assigned product categories.
- Assists in developing the program/SKU pricing and executing the pricing strategy for all major home center customers within the product lines.
- Executes related operational and selling strategies through use of information technology in keeping with company’s historic standard as an industry leader.
- Manages market research projects, as assigned, for new markets and competitive positioning.
- Assists in the development of effective sales presentations including routine “line reviews” as prescribed by home center customers.
- Participates in the research of new program opportunities and then optimize the opportunities for addition of appropriate new product lines as well as new SKUs within existing product lines in the assigned categories to increase overall corporate profitability and Novo enterprise value.
- Manages expenses and capital required to support company’s EBITDA and capital targets, including optimizing use of merchandising resources and making prudent recommendations regarding addition of SKUs that offer growth opportunities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications (Required)
- Minimum of three years of related industry experience, with ability to establish and maintain respect within all areas of the business and build sound cooperative relationships, both internally and externally.
- Established record of strength in organizational skills, aptitude for understanding sales performance metrics, and marketing intuition.
- Proficiency in the use of technology, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access.
- Demonstrated leadership ability, time-management skills, strong work ethic, and ability and drive to achieve goals and maintain company standards.
- Possess or quickly develop a good understanding of the overall supply chain for the products within the categories assigned.
- Must possess and maintain a current unrestricted (other than for vision correction) driver’s license along with adequate on-going auto insurance on personal vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
- A Bachelors’ or Associates’ degree in business, marketing, or a related field strongly recommended, but a combination of experience, skill, and education will be considered.
- Prior experience in the moulding and millwork industry.
Travel Requirements
- Willingness and ability to travel on a limited basis, averaging 25%.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hand to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and lifting.
