Plumbing Channel Manager

PACE Supply • Rohnert Park, CA

2h • $150,000 - $250,000 • Remote

About The Position

PACE Supply is seeking a Plumbing Channel Manager to lead product channel strategy, vendor alignment, assortment direction, and margin performance for plumbing categories across all markets. The role supports finish and rough plumbing categories and partners with Division Managers, regional leadership, and regional sales teams to connect product strategy, vendor programs, pricing support, inventory planning, and field execution. The position helps ensure the right products, vendors, and programs are in place to drive branch growth, customer service, and margin improvement.

The manager supports category strategy and assortment decisions, vendor relationships and programs, pricing and margin initiatives, field execution, product lifecycle management, inventory planning, and market analysis. The role also collaborates with Marketing, Operations, Finance, Purchasing, Replenishment, and Pricing, and provides category performance updates and recommendations to leadership.

The position is described as “IN MARKET REMOTE.” Candidates must complete a background check, physical examination, and drug test. The work environment includes prolonged periods standing or sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

• High school diploma and Associate's degree.
• 5–7 years of wholesale distribution experience.
• Experience in product/category management, purchasing, or plumbing product sales.
• Working knowledge of plumbing product categories, vendors, and applications.
• Ability to analyze sales, cost, and margin data and translate it into actionable recommendations.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and vendor programs.
• Ability to influence and partner across divisions, regions, and branch teams without direct authority.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft products, with advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent time management and ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Successful candidates must complete a background check, physical examination, and drug test.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or a related field.
• More than 7 years in wholesale distribution with direct product, category, or channel management responsibility in plumbing.
• Experience supporting a multi-branch, multi-region distribution network.
• Experience with buying group programs, rebate structures, and manufacturer negotiations.
• Proficiency with ERP and business intelligence tools for category reporting and analysis.
• Professional certification in supply chain or product management, such as APICS CPIM/CSCP.

Responsibilities

• Support overall channel strategy for plumbing categories across all markets.
• Determine appropriate product mix by market, branch profile, and customer segment.
• Review product-line performance, identify assortment gaps, and recommend additions, consolidations, and exits.
• Identify growth opportunities within existing categories and adjacent plumbing product lines.
• Align preferred vendor partners with channel strategy and division and regional priorities.
• Support preparation and administration of vendor negotiations, programs, rebates, and buying group participation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for assigned vendors and coordinate line reviews and business reviews.
• Monitor vendor performance on cost, fill rate, lead time, and program compliance; escalate gaps.
• Coordinate vendor-led product training and promotional support for branch and sales teams.
• Support margin improvement initiatives across plumbing categories.
• Provide pricing guidance to divisions, branches, and regional sales teams.
• Analyze cost changes, sell-price positioning, and margin leakage and recommend corrective action.
• Partner with the Pricing team on matrix maintenance, cost updates, and special pricing agreements.
• Support quoting and bid strategy on large projects within assigned categories.
• Translate channel strategy into executable branch-level actions.
• Partner with Division Managers, regional leadership, and regional sales teams on category growth plans.
• Support branch needs involving product selection, availability, substitutions, and customer-specific requirements.
• Develop and deliver product communications, sales tools, and campaign support to the field.
• Conduct branch and market visits to gather field feedback and reinforce category priorities.
• Manage product lifecycle from evaluation and introduction through maturity and discontinuation.
• Evaluate new products and vendor submissions against strategy, margin, and demand criteria.
• Coordinate new product setup, item-data accuracy, and launch readiness with internal partners.
• Manage transitions, substitutions, and end-of-life plans to minimize obsolete and aged inventory.
• Partner with Purchasing and Replenishment on stocking strategies, min/max levels, and branch-level assortments.
• Support forecasting for new product launches, seasonal demand, and promotional activity.
• Monitor inventory health, including turns, fill rate, excess, and aged stock, and recommend corrective action.
• Support resolution of supply disruptions, allocations, and vendor lead-time changes.
• Monitor market trends, competitor assortments, and pricing dynamics in the plumbing channel.
• Analyze sales, margin, and share data to identify risks and opportunities by region and category.
• Maintain awareness of code, specification, and manufacturer changes affecting plumbing lines.
• Prepare category performance reporting and recommendations for leadership review.
• Partner across Marketing, Operations, and Finance to support company initiatives and shared best practices.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on category performance and open items.
• Recommend process improvements that strengthen channel execution and field support.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Employee ownership through the ESOP; the company states that the ESOP retirement benefit is company-funded and requires no employee contribution.
• 401(k) with company match, eligible from day one.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage effective the first of the month following employment; elsewhere the posting says these benefits are available within the first 30 days.
• Paid vacation.
• Sick leave and sick days.
• Paid holidays.
• Life insurance.
• Career pathways for growth.
• Competitive wages.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree