GGS Product Manager

§ Develop and execute product expansion plans within assigned product categories that will generate incremental sales and profits for global sourcing.§ Manage assigned mature product portfolio for long-term growth and profitability. § Manage customer relationship (Grainger Businesses) and address any issues to ensure customer satisfaction§ Initiate and manage new program launch and internal line review processes working closely with a cross-functional team§ Identify and qualify potential suppliers in assigned region (US) and negotiate best total cost and terms. Manage ongoing supplier relationship.

Demand generation/Portfolio mgmt/Customer mgmt.§ Identify, develop/sell and implement product expansion plans in assigned product categories, working in conjunction with other Grainger Businesses. Program expansion will focus on more complex/higher sales potential products and suppliers§ Assigned Product Categories will be a large homogeneous subset of the Category Mgr.'s area of responsibility§ Aggressively pursue improvement of overall product portfolio and matured programs to drive incremental sales and improved long-term profitability§ Manage on-going customer relationships, including price negotiations and resolving any service issues to ensure customer satisfaction Project mgmt§ Initiate and manage new program launch and internal line-review processes working cohesively with a cross-functional team to ensure successful on-time launch; including: completing scoping document & financial analysis, project planning & monitoring, obtaining program approval from customersSourcing/Negotiation with US suppliers§ Identify and qualify potential suppliers in assigned region (US) and negotiate best total cost and terms. Complete best supplier selection working closely with overseas procurement offices§ On-going problem-solving and management of US based suppliersAccountability- Sales and gross margin for assigned product categories, including mature and new program additions- Supplier performance measurements as developed by GIS Product Management- Performance of assigned US-Based suppliers

Background & Experience:§ Bachelor's degree required. Masters' degree a plus§ Product Management, Sales & Marketing required. Procurement or sourcing experience a plus§ Knowledge of relevant product and market requiredProven track record in:§ Selling or customer relationship management§ Negotiation § Project Management§ People management skills (manage Program Coordinators)§ Cross-functional team leadership§ Process orientation in support of ISO§ Communication and presentation skills§ Ethics & integrity§ Planning and execution

Flexibility to travel internationally a few times a yea for extended periods of 10-16 days, and domestically several times a year§ Flexibility to work off hours with overseas offices & suppliers


Grainger is a Fortune 500 company and the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America with sales of over $5 billion. Through its network of nearly 600 branches, large distribution network and multiple Web sites, Grainger helps customers save time and money by providing them with the right products to keep their facilities running.
REQUIREMENTS
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