Product Category Specialist

Job Purpose: The Product Category Specialist is responsible to coordinate, develop and evaluate product lines for the Product Management Department (Co2).  The Product Category Specialist will be accountable for the purchasing of food products and supplies as needed for the Company.  This position will report to the Manager and will have daily contact with Sales personnel, Strategy team, Manufacturers, and Vendors. The Product Category Specialist will be responsible for purchases/ expediting of products, inventory, support negotiations of contracts, and ensure compliance with government regulations.

Japanese / English bilingual required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible in procuring products, components, and services required for production in accordance with established policies and controls and accepted Wismettac practices.
• Develop product pricing structure with Product Category Supervisor/ Manager using current cost estimates, margin and commission guidelines provided by management.

• Responsible for the development of private brand products for the Company.

• Review pricing strategies to insure company profitability and competition in the marketplace.  Perform periodic margin analysis.
• Utilize market information and perform necessary analysis to make recommendations to the manager to adjust product offering based on products and programs found in the marketplace.
• Identifies and selects vendor to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices and accept terms on the behalf of the company. Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.

• Gather data, monitor, and forecast on marketing and sales trends on customer, competitors, and market conditions by going out on sales shadowing with sales employees and responsible for the Company’s figures (i.e. sales and gross profit) depending on   assigned categories. 
• Identifies and selects vendor to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
• Writes and distributes complex and technical bids or requests for proposals; receives and analyzes bids, quotes, proposals, and awards the contract based on company approval process.
• Responsible in tracking purchases, monitors vendor quality, and maintains a current database of vendor information.
• Product Category Specialist will serve as one of the most skilled employee and usually tasked to help manage the Product Category Assistant/ office clerk on schedules and assignments. 
• Evaluates and analyzes purchasing trend and price trend to identify forecasting demand and minimize purchasing costs.
• Other duties assigned by (Co2) management.