Marketing Specialist

Join a recognized leader in window covering manufacturing and customer service, known by the Graber, Bali and Nanik brands. Our products offer customers quality and style. We offer great people like you a window to success!Our progressive fast-paced teaming environment is seeking a Marketing Specialist in our wood products area to work at Springs Window Fashions (SWF). The Marketing Specialist works with the Product Manager(s) to coordinate product management activities and to assure efficiency of the department and overall profitability of Springs Window Fashions.
1) New products/programs (60%)
Act as project manager working with cross-functional teams to launch new products/programs
work within guidelines of the PST / 6d process
Coordinate and manage cross-functional team(s); schedule meetings and follow-ups, assign tasks, etc.
Develop a program/project plan and manage cross-functional activities to ensure timelines are met
Coordinate functions necessary for product introductions with outside groups, SWFD manufacturing, sales, distribution, accounting, finance, displays, customer service, graphic arts, production control and forecasting
Work with overseas vendors and/or internal departments to establish/improve product costs
Provide opening order and forecast information for new program/product rollouts
Write ECRs (Engineering Change Requests) to establish new products, obsolete product, etc.
Develop point of sale information
Develop program packaging and labeling
Work with engineering and graphics to create user-friendly installation instructions
Work with the sales managers to develop roll out-plans
Evaluate new item potential performance/profitability2) Existing products/programs (20%)
Respond to requests or concerns from customers and sales force; coordinate action to meet those needs
Address product quality issues
Coordinate and manage cross-functional team required to resolve issue
Work with sales and customers to minimize consumer issues
Work with Production/Inventory Control (PIC) to determine rework, reject, inventory issues
Inventory / SKU reduction
Manage program additions/deletions to reduce obsolescence
Work with PIC to develop plans for obsolete/slow moving SKUs
Work with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and outside vendors to ensure consistent product quality and integrity
Monitor product/program performance and profitability3) General (20%)
Respond to requests from sales force for program recommendations/improvements
Ensure proper support is given all products through necessary selling tools, training materials, and appropriate merchandising
Perform program analysis as required to ensure profitability
Create planograms
Create customer presentations as requested
Participate in cross-functional product line team meetings
Recommend and supervise product improvements
Consistently look for, test and implement innovative programs and products
Obtain and maintain a thorough technical and competitive knowledge of all assigned products
Develop field-training programs for assigned products
Gather competitive intelligence
Field incoming requests for information from sales force and customers
Maintain product samples in orderly fashion as required for assigned product line
Handle routine matters whenever possible4) Quality - Integrates quality at the source thinking and activities in daily, individual, team and project work.Utilizes quality/process tools and methodology in daily individual work
Utilizes quality/process tools and methodology on teams
Defines and documents individual processes within sphere of control
Ensures that others are trained as back-ups on (processes) within the area/department
Improves processes within sphere of control
Identifies waste and rework and enacts plan to improve/solve
Checks satisfaction of internal customers through use of quality tools and Customer/Supplier metricsSprings is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience with the marketing and the sale of Springs products is preferred. Must have working knowledge of manufacturing, sales, production, inventory control, distribution, data processing, advertising and finance.A Bachelors degree is required, preferably in marketing, business, or a related field.