Internal candidates can sit in DAV or MEL BUILD A BETTER CAREER WITH MSCServing customers and our community starts with the best people doing their best work. That is precisely what we have created at MSC Industrial Supply Co. We are a leading North American distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), products and services. We offer more than 2 million products and have over 80 years of experience across dozens of industries. We aim to execute our Built to Make You Better brand promise for all our stakeholders, including our associates.Requisition ID :16824Employment Type :Full TimeJob Category :Category ManagementWork Location :Davidson, NC (CSC)BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY:The Sr. Manager, Category Strategy is responsible for developing and leading the execution of the Category strategy through implementation of tactics, assessing results, and adapting based upon outcomes. Implementation activities can be grouped in four major disciplines: strategy management, vendor relationships, category marketing, and cross-functional collaboration. Key activities include key vendor relationship management and negotiation, product line value proposition, and annual tactics planningDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESProduct Line Ownership:
Ownership of all suppliers within assigned product line(s)
Responsible for population of suppliers that make up Sales of assigned product line(s) –$100M+ in annual Sales total
Includes developing and cultivating key relationships with Preferred & Strategic supplier partners to help drive engagement, investment and growth
Responsible for overall performance of assigned Product Line(s) (Sales Growth, Profitability, execution and overall success)
Develops and leads plans to drive successful solutions with internal & external partners
Resolves conflict with internal partners or external suppliers or escalates to next leadership level.
Fosters the MSC Culture in the department and throughout the company to ensure fulfillment of MSC’s vision and unity of purpose.
Leads special projects and performs additional duties as required
Provides supporting category and industry expertise, data, and insights used to define the strategy for the Category:
Provide key input to the Business Unit Head and Strategic Business Unit Managers in the development of the Business Unit strategy
(8-step process), with emphasis on setting, implementing, and adapting tactics:
Define Category
Assess Role of Category
Assess Category Performance
Set Objectives and Targets
Devise Strategy
Set Tactics
Implement Tactics
Review and Adapt
Tactics Planning and Implementation:
Leads annual planning process, leading all recommendations and activities related to his/her product lines. Creates customer solutions for assigned product lines and lead execution in partnership with sales
Leads cross-functional initiatives to drive the business, serving as the SME for the assigned product lines
Drives Change Management as the Strategy evolves
Builds and leads a cross-functional plan for tactical execution of the assigned product lines incorporating sales, marketing, supply chain, and any other necessary key functions collaborating across the organization and resolving issues where needed to ensure the product line initiatives can be executed.
Vendor Management:
+ + Negotiates with and manages key suppliers; aligns goals with key strategic partners.
Resolves contract-specific conflicts
Creates and articulates product line value propositions and whitespace
Develops, optimizes and manages +/- product, brand, and vendor rationalization
Develops and provides product line guidance to the Category Operations team to implement pricing strategy
Review Results:
+ + Has full ownership of product line results (i.e. Sales & Profitability)
Drives strategies to achieve product line contribution margin (sales, cost, coop negotiation, supply chain opportunities)
Identifies and leads execution of actions to drive growth
Leads through vendor performance reviews
Builds and Motivates a High-performing Team of Associates and a Culture of Engagement:
+ + Develops skills and competencies of category team, serving as a mentor for newer and less experienced associates
Communicates openly and effectively
Manages performance
Fosters the MSC Culture in the department and throughout the company to ensure fulfillment of MSC’s vision and unity of purpose.
Participation in special projects and performs additional duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a Related Field.
Minimum of seven years of industry experience in distribution, supplier management and negotiations, business development, distribution, product management, marketing or merchandising management, supply chain is required.
Ability to manage cross-functional initiatives required.
MS Office proficiency required
Strong execution focus; drive for results required.
Prioritizes deliverables and allocates resources appropriately required.
Ability to remain focused and make decisions through times of ambiguity required.
Solid business acumen, including key financial targets, and knowledge of distribution process required
Strong customer focus and understanding of their needs and expectations; understands market direction and trends required.
Ability to diagnose problems quickly and works to find solutions required.
Successfully navigates the organization’s people and processes to accomplish work efficiently required.
Works cross-functionally and has effectively participated on cross-functional teams required.
Skilled at cultivating supplier relationships at a non-strategic level requited
Comfortable negotiating externally and representing the best interests of the company required.
Strong written and verbal communication with presentation experience required.
Develops and manages a team with clear goals, performance expectations, and growth opportunities required. Emphasis on inspiring, motivating and developing talent to achieve annual goals and build a team for future success.
Experience with leading a team through an evolution of change required.
Comfortable cultivating supplier relationships and leading negotiations at a strategic level to a mutually successful resolution required.
Bonus Points If You Have:
Masters Degree Level preferred.
Other Requirements:
A valid driver’s license may be required.
Position requires up to 10% of travel
This position may require access to International Traffic in Arms Regulations Information (“ITAR”) and/or Controlled Unclassified Information (“CUI”)
Compensation starting at $94290- 148170 depending on experience The salary range represented is based on similar roles in comparable industries, and the cost of labor in respective cities. Actual compensation is based on the candidate’s relevant experience, education requirements and peer pay equity. The Company reserves the right to modify the range as market conditions change.Why MSC? People. Collaboration. Insight. That’s how you build something that works. Built on a foundation of trust, MSC works side by side with our customers to help them drive business results. With more than one million product offerings and 75+ years of experience across industries, MSC strives to help our customers achieve greater productivity, profitability, and growth through inventory management and other innovative supply chain solutions. We care about our associates and have programs in place to help our 6,500+ team members achieve their potential. When you join our team, you will receive rewards and recognition for your contributions, training and professional development opportunities, Associate Inclusion Circles: Women, Pride, Black, Veterans, HOLA and DisABLEd as well as a variety of benefits to support you and your family's health, well-being, and financial future. If you are inspired to learn, take risks, and succeed as a team, you can build a better career at MSC. Equal Opportunity Statement: At MSC, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all qualified applicants and our associates without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any category protected by applicable law. By applying to this job you agree to the Application and Acknowledgment Declaration terms. Click HERE (https://jobs.mscdirect.com/content/Acknowledgement/?locale=enUS&previewLink=true&referrerSave=false) to review.