Director, Category Management - Commercial

Job purpose

Director of Category Management is a lead role in defining and supporting the implementation of regional and market level product strategies within a specific categorical line of business (i.e., Residential, Commercial, Complementary, Waterproofing).  The focus of responsibilities will be the development of strategic programs and management of divisional product/category/vendor management that supports the operational growth to top line, profitability, and optimization of inventory investment.  The Director of Category Management will be responsible for the onboarding, development, and talent review for their team.  This role reports directly to the Vice President of Product Management.

Duties and responsibilities

• Understand and use national and market knowledge and work with leadership and direct reports to develop strategic management of vendor/product at the national, divisional, regional, and market levels including management of product portfolio.
• Develop strategic plans by category and lead cross-functional teams to achieve desired results
• Work with Demand Planning to develop demand forecasts based on demand patterns and business trends and communicate outward to vendor partners
• Manage vendor and item master data in conjunction with Master Data Organization
• Execute supply agreements with category suppliers
• Track category supplier performance.  Implement a measurement process, conduct periodic reviews, and institute continuous improvement programs as required.
• Develop a strong relationship with manufacturers to effectively negotiate and execute the company’s strategy in each market
• Assist leaders with identified market needs to provide a consistent product and service platform within all locations to effectively sell category products
• Partner with VP-Inventory Planning and Replenishment (IPR) to co-manage efficient inventory levels that support forecasted goals
• Communicate contractual commitments across the company and represent Beacon in the external marketplace
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to add additional private label offerings to the Beacon brand, ensure compliance with codes and labeling requirements
• Lead change management process for rationalization efforts on assigned categories
• Manage working capital targets for assigned categories.  
• Ensure effective inventory management techniques are in place to meet service level expectations
• Ensure there are effective internal tracking and measurements necessary to effectively support the financial targets at all levels
• Develop effective direct and indirect relationships to actively engage stakeholders in each region/division

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or other technical discipline
• 7+ years' experience with a minimum of 5 years in Product Management, Category Management Procurement, Strategy, Finance, Engineering, Consulting, or Operations
• Experience with category management, strategic sourcing, category planning, private label, customer care and supplier relationship management
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement comprehensive company programs and processes
• Sales and Operations experience, preferred
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to successfully operate in a highly matrixed environment, to effectively communicate with and influence all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated successful experience working in a demanding, high performance work environment and team-oriented culture
• Proficient skill with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and Tableau
• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of business acumen, financial concepts, and procedure

Working conditions

• Moderate travel requirements as needed for business purposes
• Work assignments may be completed remotely and/or available company offices/branches within respective markets

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and/or keyboard
• Heavy methods of verbal and auditory communication via phone, virtual calls, and/or email

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