Category Development Manager

SUMMARY:

A management position that is the key link between the franchise(s) and Corporate Headquarters. Product management responsibilities with heavy supplier contact and negotiation. Leads a team that is responsible for the addition, prioritization, pricing, sourcing, and overall growth of all product lines. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Requires a college degree in a related field.
• 10 years’ Marketing, Purchasing, Merchandising, or Category/Product Management experience in Automotive or Industrial maintenance & repair items. 
• Preferred experience with legacy ERP systems or Oracle ERP. 

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

• Must be strategic, collaborative, able to build relationships.
• Must be motivated, in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail, an eye for quality, and excellent customer service. 
• Must be computer literate (MS Excel, Queries, Outlook, etc.) with Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. 
• Excellent leadership and motivational skills. 
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Vendor relationship building and negotiating will be a large focus. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Be able to oversee and mentor a team of category managers.
• Have some understanding of product regulatory issues
• Present a professional appearance and represent Winzer in an ethical manner.
• Works closely with the team to identify new products, respond, and react to franchises requests and needs in a timely manner and to manage the profitability of the automotive and industrial product lines.
• Provide training and product information to both internal and external Winzer employees, franchises, and prospective franchises around Automotive and Industrial products.
• Provide answers to product issues in a timely fashion.
• Attending and participating in focus group meetings, providing product training and responding and reacting to franchise product recommendations.
• Maintain and up-to-date listing and tracking of all product recommendations and prioritize those recommendations within Automotive and Industrial products.
• Strive to make improvements in the cost of goods, controlling expenses, improving technology and time management.
• Participate in all future Winzer acquisitions. This includes travel for on-site visits, product identification and labeling, product packaging and shipping back to Winzer warehouse.  This would include both weekend and weekday travel. 
• Address all products additions, issues, and pricing for all acquisitions, prior to the closing of the acquisitions.  
• Work closely as a team to make sure that Winzer increases sales and improves margins based on the company objectives and goals.
• The ability to manage and juggle many changing priorities and meet or exceed all commitments to both Winzer employees and Winzer franchises.
• Attend and participate in all mid-manager meetings and company functions/meetings. 
• Must be willing to accept additional responsibilities when called upon to do so. 

OTHER DUTIES:

• Other duties as assigned by Manager. 

# OF PERSONNEL SUPERVISED:

• 4 – 10 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to efficiently use a personal computer equipped with standard keyboard and mouse.

Winzer Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.