Product Management Specialist

Essendant is a purpose-driven company that reaches beyond business goals to define its success within commerce today. We support our associates, customers and communities – our core values and guiding principles shape what we aspire to do. Integrity, Collaboration, Customer-Centric, Embrace and Drive Change are our core values that serve as the foundation of our pathway to success. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Giving Back, Associate Safety, and Accountability are our guiding principles that motivate us to focus on creating a safe and rewarding experience. Essendant is a leader in supporting the supply chain industry and has been in business for 100 years to deliver the best practices for our customers and associates. Join us at Essendant, the better way to commerce.

Product Management Specialist

Major Responsibilities

• Obtains new item information from vendor and determines and validates appropriate information has been obtained for all required categories; assesses to ensure item detail is accurate and applicable according to company requirements
• Creates item forecast for direction to inventory management along with providing stocking footprint/location strategy; creates strategy on stocking requirements based upon data gathered from vendors and related analysis
• Manages the content process for new items to fully leverage monthly syndication cycle by adhering to appropriate deadlines; liaisons with content team to coordinate various stages of syndication and influence vendor appropriately to ensure timeliness of product introductions
• Analyzes and manages vendor price changes (increase/decreases) evaluating impact to company; adhere to relevant deadlines and company processes; communication with internal partners regarding potential impact; track and manage transactions to maintain integrity
• Manages the life cycle process for items by understanding the end of life cycle and discontinuation of product, identifying suggested replacement product, and assessing and reporting on inventory levels for discontinued products.
• Process other applicable item changes after investigating and assessing accuracy of requested changes. Activites to include but are not limited to UOM changes, Refer Tos, item descriptions, operational and rich content corrections.
• Assists Product Managers with the submitting of product assortments to the various marketing vehicles; ensures timelines are met; and provides supporting detail gathered via reporting and analysis to assist Product Manager with decision making
• Supports Product Manager with executions of certain elements of supplier allowance programs (i.e., Training, Floor Days, Spiffs); assists with the tracking of the collection of dollars by following established financial SOX requirements and provides POP where needed for collection of dollars
• Provides general support and research to internal product inquiries from various internal partners, especially our Orchard Park inside sales organization. Overtime will demonstrate a basic level of product knowledge.
• Ability to utilize internal reporting tools to effectively create and analyze vendor or product needs (ad hoc reports); understanding of key financial metrics such as margin, year over year comparisons, etc.
• Provides reporting and analysis to identify overstock items. Provides recommendations on product returns to Product Manager and Inventory Management adhering to vendor return programs
• Determines and manages various promotional costs (PR Cost) communicating and ensuring other internal departments are aware of changes and manages process to ensure all aspects of promotional pricing are captured; directing others to ensure changes happen
• Assist in the creation of process documentation for core merchandising activities where none exist and/or identify process improvements to streamline core merchandising activities
• Understands and demonstrates Essendant's Core Values.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Knowledge Required

• Decision making skills
• Established verbal/written communication skills
• Highly organized with ability to coordinate multiple tasks and work in a fast paced environment
• Detail oriented and thorough
• Analytical experience in data analysis preferable
• Project Management type of work preferable
• Proficient in Microsoft Office in particular Excel

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or relevant work experience
• Minimum of 3 year Marketing or Merchandising experience preferred

Benefits:

• Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401k with matching
• Company Holidays
• Overtime Pay for hourly employees
• Paid Vacation, Floating Holidays, and Sick Time
• Maternity and Parental leave benefits
• Employee discount
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

ABOUT ESSENDANT

Essendant drives to be inclusive and celebrates diversity by starting with our associates. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage candidates to apply for opportunities, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. At Essendant we are building an elevated community by creating a safe and supportive work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, including or based on age, race, color, disability, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. People are what drives our company. We are one team with endless possibilities. We are Essendant.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)