What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Management Specialist position at Reece, Inc.?
Who We Are
Working at Reece & Fortiline means being part of a growing global company that brings our purpose and values to life every day. We celebrate our team members living our values and provide opportunities to build a long and remarkable career. We’re proud to support essential industries helping bring clean air and water to everyone. To learn more about our purpose and values, visit our career site at https://careers.reece.com/us/
The Category Management Specialist supports the Category Management team in executing strategic initiatives related to product categories. This role involves data analysis, administrative support, vendor coordination, and assisting in the development of strategies aimed at optimizing product assortment, pricing, and supply chain efficiency. The Specialist will collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and other internal departments to ensure smooth operations and meet category goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Assist in analyzing sales data, inventory levels, and customer trends to provide insights for category planning.
- Prepare and maintain regular reports related to category performance (e.g., sales, margin, stock levels).
- Conduct competitor analysis and market research to identify trends and opportunities.
Category Strategy Support:
- Support the Category Manager in developing and implementing category strategies for product assortment, pricing, and promotions.
- Assist in the creation of category plans, working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Supplier and Vendor Management:
- Assist in managing relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery and effective communication.
- Coordinate with suppliers to collect necessary product information, pricing updates, and other required documents.
- Monitor supplier performance and escalate issues as needed.
Inventory and Product Management:
- Monitor product performance and stock levels across various channels, identifying areas for replenishment or markdowns.
- Assist in product life cycle management, including new product launches and discontinuations.
- Track and manage product returns, damages, and inventory discrepancies.
Administrative Support:
- Organize and maintain category-related documentation, such as product catalogs, pricing sheets, and promotional materials.
- Assist in the creation of purchase orders, invoices, and other procurement documents.
- Schedule meetings and coordinate communication among category team members, vendors, and other departments.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with the marketing, sales, logistics, and finance teams to ensure alignment on category objectives and initiatives.
- Assist in the coordination of promotional campaigns, pricing updates, and seasonal assortments.
- Participate in category reviews and assist in the preparation of materials for key meetings.
Process Improvement:
- Identify and suggest improvements to existing category management processes.
- Help streamline workflows to ensure more efficient product sourcing and distribution.
Qualifications:
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Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (preferred).
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Experience:
- Previous experience in category management, retail, procurement, or a similar field is an advantage.
- Strong proficiency with Excel, and experience with inventory management or ERP systems is a plus.
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Skills:
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Ability to learn new software and tools quickly.
Personal Attributes:
- Proactive and Self-Motivated: Able to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
- Team-Oriented: Comfortable working in a team environment and contributing to group objectives.
- Detail-Oriented: A keen eye for detail, especially when it comes to managing data and reporting.
- Problem-Solver: Demonstrates the ability to find creative solutions to challenges.
Working Conditions:
- Full-time position, typically working in an office or hybrid setting.
- Occasional travel may be required to meet with vendors or attend industry events.
Our commitment to excellent customer service is just part of our story. We’re also dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our associates! One of the ways we do this is by offering a variety of high-quality benefits for our associates and their families.
All full-time associates are eligible for the following benefits:
Medical and Dental Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
Company-paid Life Insurance
Short Term Disability
401(k) Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO) - plus paid holidays
Parental Leave
Voluntary benefits:
Vision
Long-term Disability
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
Additional Voluntary Benefits through Corestream
We're an equal opportunity employer and we welcome diversity and inclusion! Reece USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer— Employer Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, and any other status protected by law.