GGS Product Category Manager

Demand generation/Portfolio mgmt/Customer mgmt.

? Identify, develop/sell and implement product expansion strategy in assigned product category, working in conjunction with the other Grainger Businesses. 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 customers

Sourcing/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 suppliers

Accountability
- 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 required

Proven 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

? Report to VP, GGS Product Mgt.
? Build and manage relationships with customers
? Work with various GGS departments, Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Finance.
? Work with larger US based suppliers and third party service providers at executive level
? Develop and direct Program Mgr(s), Program Coordinators and Associate Program Manager(s)

? Directly responsible for forecast accuracy and results of sales and COGS for new and matured programs as well as long-term margin improvement of matured programs.
? Sales of $60-80M, with projections to double in next three years
? Gross Margins in the 25-35% range
? Through their customer interface, makes direct impact on price negotiations and overall customer satisfaction
? Develop and Introduce new products to Gis to enhance demand as well as introduce lower cost products to GIS to significantly enhance overall gross margins
? Supplier selection and ongoing management of supplier performance

? Manage a staff of around 8-12 including Program Mgr's, Associate Program Mgr's and Program Coordinators
? Responsible for a budget of $1.5-2.5M



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.

If interested, please apply online at