Description

TheProduct Manageris responsible for the review, selection, and implementation of select book categories for warehouse club accounts. The role is responsible for category and title review, analysis, recommendation, and planning select categories, along with direct customer relations and product presentations. The Product Manager also serves in a capacity to help leadership organize and execute Marketing related efforts.

Product Management

What You Will Be Doing:

Product Manager is a category manager expert who works directly with customers and across multiple internal departments to maximize sales efficiency and profitability, both internally and for the customer, through product selection and category management.
Meet with publishing partners throughout the year to review business, learn of new titles or publisher recommendations, and brainstorm ways to maximize or improve vendor/publisher/distributor relationships.
Negotiate with vendors to secure favorable pricing, terms, co-op funds, and special offers during the planning process.
Stay abreast of industry trends, research comparable titles, and analyze sales history to determine the optimum product mix and distribution plan for the customer.
Plan and maintain visual planner and category rotators.
Execute title and promotion planning, review, and recommendation processes to meet all scheduled deadlines.
Work in coordination with publishers, space planners, and item set-up teams to ensure club dates and title set-up information is correct.
Maintain category planner, paying close attention to ensure current plans will meet customer and internal goals.
Utilize product knowledge to maximize sales by working closely with demand and supply planning teams on replenishment strategies and reorders through meeting discussions and weekly replenishment notes.
Monitor and execute title life cycle management for the customer through sell-down and return recommendations, paying close attention to customer inventory and SKU targets.
Work closely with Printers Row Publishing (PRPG) team members to coordinate sales efforts and grow penetration of titles within the customer product mix.
Participate in comp shops on a regular basis and visit other retailers that sell books.

Category/Customer Management

Prepare and present product presentations to customer.

Select appropriate product based on customer feedback and category/product analysis, review sales forecasts to support selections, collect quality selling materials including samples and interior pages, and communicate all feedback from buyer back to vendors.

Ensures consistency in process and presentation across all categories for account, including publisher and RDS presentation standards
Review competitive and comparable sales information to suggest appropriate drop-ins to the customer.
Provide customer with high quality and in-depth sales analysis of category during presentations, while also providing recommendations to the customer based on the analysis.
Respond quickly and effectively to customer communications providing high-quality solutions and recommendations.
Monitor category, customer, and industry trends
Work closely with the sales team on execution of the business and respond to any customer questions, issues, or requests.
Work closely with the shopper’s marketing team on product planning and execution for customer pallet programs, advertising vehicles, marketing promotions (coupons), author events, and new club openings to ensure the correct product is in place for the events.

Planning

Product Manager will utilize the Blue Yonder software system to plan, execute, and maintain purchased titles for club customers using Assortment Optimization and Space Planning applications.
The Product Manager will work closely with Space Planners to ensure planogram accuracy throughout the title’s lifecycle.
Other duties may be assigned, directed or requested.

What You Will Need

High school diploma or general educational development (GED) diploma or certificate required.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum three (3) plus years’ experience in product management required.
Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in all Microsoft Office programs required.
Minimum two (2) years’ experience in Blue Yonder software, including Assortment Optimization and Space Planning preferred.
Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
Familiarity with publishing industry terms beneficial.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Must be proficient in basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to do algebra, calculate figures and amounts, and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, rations and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to do statistical analysis.
Ability to mathematically analyze and plan to meet financial goals.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions while maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in written or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
Ability to deal with problems involving variables.
The work performed is in an office environment.
Periodic travel to customers, vendors, trade shows, and conferences.
Employee is occasionally exposed to vibration and dust.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Salary:$70,000.00 - $73,000.00

ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability. EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans.If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [email protected], or call: (708) 356-3737.

ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. EOE/Minorities/Female/Disabled/Veteran. ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [email protected], or call: (708) 356-3737.