Plumbing Channel Manager

PACE Supply • Rohnert Park, CA

18d

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 connects product strategy, vendor programs, pricing support, inventory planning, and field execution to promote branch growth, customer service, and margin improvement. The manager works closely with Division Managers, regional leadership, and regional sales teams as a strategic partner and extension of the division.

The position oversees category and product lifecycle activities, from evaluating and introducing products through maturity and discontinuation. It also supports vendor programs and negotiations, pricing and margin initiatives, inventory planning, market analysis, and branch-level commercial execution. The role provides category performance updates and recommendations to leadership and partners with teams across Marketing, Operations, Finance, Purchasing, Replenishment, and Pricing.

The role is described as “IN MARKET REMOTE.” Work may involve prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer, and lifting up to 25 pounds at times. Successful candidates must complete a background check, physical examination, and drug test.

Requirements

• High school diploma and an associate degree.
• 5–7 years of wholesale distribution experience.
• Experience in product or 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 turn findings 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, and 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 work in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Successful completion of 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 plumbing channel strategy across all markets and determine appropriate product mixes by market, branch profile, and customer segment.
• Review product line performance, identify assortment gaps, recommend additions, consolidations, and exits, and identify category and adjacent-line growth opportunities.
• 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 the primary contact for assigned vendors, coordinate line and business reviews, monitor vendor performance, escalate gaps, and coordinate vendor-led product training and promotional support.
• Support margin improvement initiatives and provide pricing guidance to divisions, branches, and regional sales teams.
• Analyze cost changes, sell-price positioning, and margin leakage; recommend corrective action and partner with the Pricing team on matrix maintenance, cost updates, and special pricing agreements.
• Support quoting and bid strategy for large projects in assigned categories.
• Translate channel strategy into branch-level actions and partner with division and regional teams on category growth plans.
• Support branch product selection, availability, substitutions, and customer-specific requirements; develop product communications, sales tools, and campaign support; and conduct branch and market visits.
• Manage product lifecycle activities, evaluate new products and vendor submissions, coordinate product setup and launch readiness, and manage transitions and end-of-life plans.
• Partner with Purchasing and Replenishment on stocking strategies, min/max levels, and branch assortments; support forecasting and monitor inventory health and supply disruptions.
• Monitor market trends, competitor assortments, and pricing; analyze sales, margin, and share data; track code, specification, and manufacturer changes; and prepare category performance reporting for leadership.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, and Finance on company initiatives and shared best practices, provide leadership updates, recommend process improvements, and perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Employee ownership through an ESOP; the company-funded retirement benefit 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; benefits are also described as available within the first 30 days.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Life insurance.
• Career pathways for growth.
• Competitive wages.

What This Job Offers

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