Associate Product Manager
About The Position
The Associate Product Manager develops and executes category, program and item sourcing strategies and tactics to support the Category Teams in achieving overall financial goals for margin, sales, inventory turnover and in-stock levels. Sourcing Coordinators work within a group of categories defined by the Director of Sourcing (or Manager of Sourcing as appropriate), collaborating closely with Category Teams, Quality Assurance, Private Label, Supply Chain, Import Logistics, Suppliers and Service Providers. Core activities encompass the establishment, management, and resolution of program/item sourcing projects.
Requirements
- Proven negotiation skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Strong analytical ability to interpret complex data and commodity trends.
- Experience in supplier assessment and selection.
- Skilled in project management, critical thinking, and decision-making.
- Ability to mentor peers and adapt to changing priorities.
- Expertise in commodity research, product manufacturing understanding and cost-structure analysis (raw materials, labor, etc.).
- Bachelor’s degree (BA / BS / BFA) or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of corporate retail experience in Inventory Management, Merchandising, Planning, and/or Global Sourcing
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
- Advanced to expert experience with excel is preferred.
- Comfort with utilizing e-sourcing tools and reporting solutions (micro strategy, business objects, etc.)
Responsibilities
- Partner with Category Teams to develop category sourcing strategies
- Collaborate with Category Teams to develop objective worksheets for identified programs and items to be considered for global sourcing activities and potential placement
- Define pertinent elements for programs and items, including FOB price targets, trim/labeling/packaging components, product specifications for function and performance, regulatory and safety requirements, etc.
- Coordinate and issue communication of objective worksheets and item/program details to all Suppliers.
- Regularly maintain tracking and project timeline tools
- Monitor and support sample collection, approval and updating processes
- Support Director/Manager of Sourcing and Category Team members in defining and monitoring of order and documentation issuance/approval processes to ensure timely deliveries
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance Team members, ensuring all product are subjected to and achieve quality assurance guidelines and processes
- Collaborate with Private Label Team members to define, manage and execute product projects within designated Private Label policies (when Private Label product is sourced/considered)
- Collaborate with Import Logistics to ensure statutory/trade documentation and process requirements are achieved.
- Support Director/Manager of Sourcing in the creation and delivery of Category Team and Supplier education and development.
- Work with Suppliers to identify opportunity buys.
- Other duties and responsibilities as defined
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
