Associate Product Specialist

Classification:

Job Description:

Just some of our benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k
• Tuition reimbursement
• 13 paid holidays in addition to paid vacation and sick time
• Flexible spending
• Life Insurance, AD&D and Supplemental Insurance
• 1 week paid plant shutdown between the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays

POSITION SUMMARY

Product development and product line management position for multinational construction materials manufacturer. Responsible for supporting the execution of the organization's strategic product vision in support of the various business strategies and aligned with company brand promises and overarching company values. Works with product managers, cross-functional team members, and external vendors to manage assigned portfolio products' lifecycles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Market Research and Analytics (25%)

• Continually research the applications in which our products are used to maintain a superior level of expertise.
• Identify market trends and needs through cultivation of consumer insight and market research.
• Solicit regular feedback from our distributors, contractors, and dealers to help guide internal decisions.
• Collect industry data and sales statistics, develop and maintain competitive analysis of products.
• Research competitive pricing, value propositions and product positioning strategies.
• Improve engagement of internal feedback channels to regularly harvest information from field sales reps.
• Coordinate individual and cross-functional research excursions.

Product Development and Lifecycle Management (25%)

• Understand and support management of your products' entire lifecycle, from concept to commercialization, maturity and decline.
• Leverage stage gate development philosophy to keep detailed and thorough records of activities.
• Support new product commercialization and national product promotional activity.
• Support product rationalization activities through data analytics and consideration of portfolio evolution activity.
• Continuous improvement - updating and evolution of existing processes, procedures, tools, etc.

Project Management (25%)

• Build and maintain relationships with cross-functional team members.
• Develop and maintain project gantt charts to methodically track a project through phases to completion.
• Responsible for providing routine project status updates.

Inventory Management (15%)

• Frequent monitoring and identification of inventory challenges.
• Collaborate with departments to improve product line turns and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Support execution of inventory reduction initiatives.

Product Strategy (10%)

• Propose and develop category strategies.
• Convert market and category knowledge into quantifiable business cases for consideration.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business-related concentration

Specialized Skills and Experience:

• 1-3 years product marketing experience. Experience in building or industrial products field a plus.
• Knowledge of construction materials and techniques a strong plus.
• Hands-on work style. Cannot be afraid to occasionally get dirty!
• Excellent communications & presentation skills.
• Strong analytical data acumen.
• Strong presentation and written skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
• Physical strength to lift and carry minimum of 25 pounds.
• Fluent in English. Second language a plus.
• Team cooperation - maintain a positive, cooperative attitude with all employees of LATICRETE and all customers.
• Dedication, commitment, and flexibility: ability to manage through change and challenges.

Travel requirement:

• Up to 20%, domestic and international.
• Must have or be able to obtain a passport