• Manager - Category Management

    WESCO (Glenview, IL)


    As a Manager – Category Management for Wesco’s Owned Brands division, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies for our private label wire and cable portfolio. This role is pivotal in driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence by aligning with internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver customer-centric solutions.

     

    You will collaborate cross-functionally with Sales and Marketing to identify opportunities that enhance our value proposition, particularly in areas where national brand offerings fall short. This includes improving margins, reducing lead times, and solving customer pain points through strategic product positioning and supplier partnerships.

    Responsibilities:

    + Work cross-functionally to identify first-cost, standard cost, spend, and pricing optimization opportunities: to improve profitability of the category.

    + Accountable for the annual category business planning and strategy execution for the category

    + Conducts supplier contracting for operational and financial terms improvement

    + Supports development of an optimized Product Assortment & Merchandizing strategy

    + Responsible for supplier contracting to improve operational and financial terms

    + Support marketing plan development and execution

    + Effectively communicate key product messaging both internally and externally

    + Conduct product evaluation and comparisons to identify alternates

    + Identify, manage and communicate new product introductions

    + Conduct supplier negotiations to obtain best value

    + Addresses supplier performance management and issue resolution

    Qualifications:

    + Bachelors Degree - Business, Sales, Marketing or relevant field required; Masters Degree preferred

    + 5 years experience in sales, marketing, product management

    + 5 years of success maintaining and developing key relationships

    + 2 years product category management experience

    + Previous experience in distribution markets in wire & cable, solar, utility, or electrical markets preferred.

    + Private label or OEM product experience is a strong plus.

    + Proven ability to influence cross functional teams

    + Analytical and detail oriented

    + Excellent business and financial acumen

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