Product Lead, Standards Distribution Limited

The Product Lead is responsible for creating and executing the sourcing strategy for their assigned product categories. They assess both product and vendor performance to ensure success.

Job Summary:

The Product Lead is responsible for creating and executing the sourcing strategy for their assigned product categories. They assess both product and vendor performance to ensure success. This role involves fostering strong relationships with suppliers, Sales, and Marketing, while collaborating with various stakeholders to drive overall success in their product categories.

Job Description:

• Conducts trade analysis for the product category by performing market research, risk assessments, financial analysis, and evaluating global trade and supply chain dynamics.
• Develops and communicates a clear product vision that aligns with organizational goals. Defines product strategy, creates a roadmap, and prioritizes features based on customer needs, market trends, and technological advancements.
• Forecasts and estimates future product demand to achieve a target inventory turnover of 3+ times per year, mitigating overstocks and stock-outs while increasing the fill rate.
• Monitors product performance using key metrics and analytics.
• Collaborates with business stakeholders to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
• Identifies consumer needs and develops merchandising plans to address those needs, adjusting class plans as necessary to remain responsive to customer demands.
• Partners with the Marketing and Sales departments to implement class initiatives, ensuring alignment with marketing and sales strategies.
• Focuses on class equity and translates strategic consumer insights into actionable sales and marketing plans.
• Develops and oversees class strategies and performance to meet sales and gross margin targets, making adjustments as needed to maintain market competitiveness and meet financial goals.
• Performs market and financial analysis to assess the business risk associated with suppliers, products, or contracts.
• Creates and implements product training plans in collaboration with vendors and Product Specialists.
• Leads key class activations, develops class assets, and supports channel marketing activities.
• Serves as the primary lead for specific class projects and owns the long-term vision and strategic planning for the product category.
• Negotiates and executes major supplier contracts, working with Legal and internal stakeholders to ensure business requirements are met.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in Supply Chain Management/CIPS Level Three/equivalent.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in Procurement, Logistics or Supply Chain.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Intermediate).
• Competency in Oracle NetSuite (Intermediate)/Any experience with ERP Software.