Associate Product Manager (Strategic Sourcing)

Phillips Pet Food & Supplies•Easton, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Phillips Pet Food & Supplies is seeking a driven and analytical Associate Product Manager to support the development and execution of category strategies, purchasing activities, and merchandising plans. This role plays a critical part in driving profitable growth, optimizing inventory performance, and strengthening vendor partnerships to help Phillips become the preferred distribution platform in the pet industry.

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong collaborative mindset and partnership skills
Strategic thinker with solid business acumen
Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving abilities
High level of attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work under tight deadlines
Resourcefulness and intrinsic motivation
Bachelor’s degree required
1–3 years of category management, brand management, merchandising, purchasing, or replenishment experience
Demonstrated ability to make financially sound decisions
Strong understanding of procurement processes, vendor selection, and contract negotiation
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and mitigate procurement risks

Nice To Haves

MBA a plus
Experience in distribution purchasing or procurement preferred

Responsibilities

Support development of category and segment strategies that drive financial performance and align with merchandising, purchasing, and company objectives.
Provide actionable insights using data analysis to support category decisions and deliver strong business results.
Assist in delivering financial targets across key KPIs: sales, gross margin, turnover, inventory, write‑offs, and GMROI.
Create and maintain item‑level forecasts leveraging historical demand and sales projections.
Make assortment recommendations to optimize brand and SKU performance (additions, growth opportunities, exits).
Support promotional planning, inventory optimization, SKU rationalization, and category merchandising initiatives.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other internal teams to align on category objectives and execute vendor and customer plans.
Participate in industry shows and maintain regular engagement with vendors to stay informed on trends, competition, and channel strategies.
Support the development and flawless execution of new brand and product launches.
Lead sourcing initiatives to identify and evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, and service.
Oversee purchase order creation, tracking, reconciliation, and accuracy.
Implement cost‑optimization strategies, such as supplier consolidation and value analysis.
Ensure all procurement activities align with internal policies and compliance requirements.
Identify and mitigate procurement risks including supply disruptions, price volatility, and overbuys.
Gain exposure to vendor and category management with the goal of progressing toward a more strategic role.
Support additional initiatives and projects as assigned.