Position Mission:
This individual must be digitally savvy and has a demonstrated track record of developing and implementing Category Strategies in a high-velocity omni channel retail/wholesale business. Must exhibit a deep knowledge of Category Management fundamentals, assortment planning, product development, private label, distribution, pricing, promotions, shelf management, and digital merchandising. Of critical importance is commercial acumen and business sensibility, supported by financial literacy and strong analytical capability. Close collaboration and alignment with a wide variety of both; internal and external stakeholders, will be required, ensuring clarity of communication and direction. As such exceptional abilities in building and maintaining strong working relationships will be required. Of great importance is the ability to think strategically and develop a strong point of view, based on both quantitative and qualitative inputs, leading to optimal customer, financial and operational outcomes. Communication and presentation skills at the highest level are required.

This individual shall lead a team, who will support the delivery of the strategic vision for a group of consumer-oriented categories while instilling a sense of excitement.

Position Performance Measures:

• APG and ASG category sales
• POS Sales out
• APG and ASG gross profit (GP)
  • Trading Margin (Buy/Sell)
  • Gross Margin (inclusive of all rebates)
  • Supplier Income
• Inventory Turn Over
• GMROI (evolve to GMROIC)

Responsibilities:

• Develops strategies and business plans for respective categories, supported by executable initiatives and delivers results in line with short and long-term goals
• Be a Strategic Thought Partner – drives insights into action through the deep analytics of the category, macro-trends, competitive landscape, pricing, promotion, assortment, space management, and shopper trends.
• Leads a category business team to execute the Company vision while owning margin and timeline requirements
• Develops preliminary business plans to ensure the financial viability of projects and priorities
• Creates, owns, and executes an integrated “Go to Market” plan in coordination with marketing and sales channel leaders
• Helps develop product positioning and messaging statements through cross-functional collaboration
• Owns cost out analysis determine optimal product effectiveness
• Owns product quality for existing products
• Owns product transition and inventory for new product introductions
• Conducts business performance analysis, including revenue, volume, product margin, category gap analysis versus the competition, and effective balance of sale (good, better, best)
• Initiates frequent interaction with the Field and Trade to monitor performance and collect market and competitor data
• Understands and assesses core product opportunities (e.g., opportunity size, appeal, differentiation) to proactively determine how to best sell and drive demand through research and analysis of the competitive landscape
• Consume and Marketplace Insights:
  • Collects and analyzes consumer insights to help develop the product innovation roadmap that delivers a best-in-class consumer user experience
  • Utilizes POS data along with shopper and pricing research to develop and optimize category and product plans
  • Identifies macro trends and emerging category opportunities
• Product Portfolio Management:
• Leads the recommendation of portfolio assortment needs, product adaptations, and pricing strategy for new innovation launches
  • Leads and manages direct and cross-functional team members to execute effective product launches from conception to delivery.
  • Supports the Sales teams with long-term promotional opportunities and key drive periods
  • Supports product optimization efforts including value engineering and SKU optimization projects
  • Evaluates product-market fit for the portfolio on an ongoing basis, using data-driven analysis
  • Integrates products into a coherent portfolio of products with a consumer-centric focus. Manages the portfolio like a “product” (business plan, positioning, buying process, market requirements, and launch plan)
  • Monitors, analyzes, and reports key performance indicators to determine how well product performs in the market, how it is tracking to category strategy, and how it contributes to the overall portfolio mix
• Provides market trends, account analysis, and competitor product information to key stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

Experience, Education, and Abilities:

• BS/BA required in Business or technical field
• MBA or MS strongly preferred
• 7+ Years Category leadership experience essential, ideally within a high-volume chain retail, manufacturing or distributor environment
• Minimum of 3 years leading a high performing category management team
• Tertiary qualifications in business or related discipline essential
• Demonstrated ability to build customer-oriented category strategies
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to influence and drive alignment among stakeholders across all levels, divisions, and functions
• Technology and innovation enthusiast
• Insatiable appetite to meet and exceed revenue, margin, and volume goals
• In-depth knowledge of products and brands
• In-depth understanding of the product development process
• Self-starter able to thrive in a start-up environment
• Comfortable managing multiple ideas, concepts, and project timelines
• Strong analytical skills – strong quantitative and financial analysis skills
• Abilities to negotiate
• Firm grasp of marketing methods and processes to ensure growth
• A proven ability to develop and launch new products
• Confidence in actions and decisions to help drive a successful product launch
• Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills, with executive presence and the ability to make critical decisions and influence others.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills; superior presentation skills.
• Demonstrated conceptual & analytical thinking; prioritization; decision-making; negotiation; problem-solving; tactical execution; product & market knowledge.
• Act as a change agent with an open and flexible approach, with strong skills to build credibility and partnerships
• Study the markets we serve and the competitive landscape. Understand at a deep level our products’ differentiation as compared to needs, trends, and competition.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Office / Sedentary Requirements: Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer, and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

GPC believes the fair and equitable treatment of employees, customers, suppliers, and other persons is critical to fulfilling its vision and goals. GPC conducts its business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. GPC’s policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct, and other legitimate business reasons.