Category Manager, Strategy

Build A Better Career With Msc

Serving 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.

The Category Strategy Manager is responsible for executing 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 planning.

Product 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)
• 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 MSCs vision and unity of purpose.
• Participation in special projects and performs additional duties as required
• Manage day-to-day activities of Product Line (to include, but not limited to)

Provides supporting category and industry expertise, data, and insights for product lines used to define the strategy for the Category: (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:

• Participates in annual planning process. Creates customer solutions for assigned product lines and lead execution in partnership with sales
• Provides feedback and collaborates with the Category Operations team to continually improve processes
• Participates in cross-function initiatives to drive the business, serving as the SME for the assigned product lines
• Incorporates Change Management as the Strategy evolves
• Helps execute cross-functional plan(s) for assigned product lines incorporating sales, marketing, supply chain, and any other necessary key functions

Vendor Management:

• Negotiates with and manages key suppliers; builds strategic growth plans and aligns goals with key strategic partners
• Resolves contract-specific conflicts
• Articulates product line value propositions and whitespace
• Manages product, brand, and vendor rationalization
• Collaborates with the Category Operations team to implement pricing strategy

Review Results:

• Monitors product line contribution margin (sales, cost, coop negotiation, supply chain opportunities)
• Identifies and leads execution of actions to drive growth
• Prepares thorough vendor performance reviews

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a Related Field; Masters Level preferred.
• Minimum of five years 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.
• Experience managing associates preferred.
• MS Office proficiency required

Skills:

• 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 organizations 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 required
• Comfortable negotiating externally and representing the best interests of the company required.
• Strong written and verbal communication with presentation experience required.

Other Requirements:

• A valid drivers license and the ability to travel up to 10% of the time may be required

Compensation starting at $84800 - $130319 depending on candidate location and 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 candidates relevant experience, education requirements and peer pay equity. The Company reserves the right to modify the range as market conditions change.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position at this time.

This job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 business days from the original posting date or longer as needed to fill the position.

People. Collaboration. Insight. Thats 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 80+ 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.

Our associates are our top priority and investing in their well-being is one way we execute our Built to Make You Better brand promise. Alongside competitive pay, we have a comprehensive benefits program to support you and your familys health, well-being and financial future. We offer dynamic healthcare plans, generous 401K and stock purchasing programs, tuition reimbursement opportunities, and paid time away for holidays, vacations, and illness.

You will also have the opportunity to join our Associate Inclusion Circles: Women, Pride, Black, Generational, Veterans, HOLA, and Able. These circles are open to all associates and are designed to promote awareness, collaboration, and respect.

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 or any category protected by applicable law. Accommodation requests can be made at any stage of the recruitment process; applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements known.

Please note that MSC uses electronic monitoring and system logs in its workplace, including monitoring of Company-provided systems and collaboration tools, as permitted by applicable law.