Junior Product Manager

About the role

The Junior Product Manager plays a key role in supporting inventory planning, purchasing strategies, pricing decisions, and supplier relationships for our plate product line. This position is responsible for analyzing inventory trends, market conditions, and customer demand to help drive informed purchasing decisions across multiple regions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze inventory levels, purchasing activity, and sales trends to identify opportunities and potential risks.
• Forecast inventory requirements and assist in developing purchasing strategies to support business objectives.
• Collaborate with branch managers and sales teams to determine stocking needs and inventory priorities.
• Evaluate market conditions, pricing trends, freight costs, and other factors that impact purchasing decisions.
• Respond to sales inquiries and provide guidance on replacement costs, pricing, and product availability.
• Review large customer opportunities and obtain vendor quotations as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and customers.
• Monitor contract pricing and assist in managing inventory transfers across locations.
• Partner with logistics and operations teams to coordinate material movement and ensure timely fulfillment.
• Identify changes, trends, or inconsistencies in data and investigate underlying causes to support informed decision-making.
• Present findings and recommendations with confidence, utilizing data and business insight to influence decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Able to interpret data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Able to balance analytical work with relationship-building and collaborative decision-making.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, pricing analysis, sales support, product management, or a related field.
• Experience working with ERP systems.
• Familiarity with forecasting, inventory planning, and market analysis.
• Experience in metals, manufacturing, distribution, or industrial markets is a plus.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Skills

• Natural curiosity and a desire to understand the "why" behind the data.
• Confidence to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and offer recommendations.
• A blend of analytical thinking and strong interpersonal skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance data with practical business judgment.
• A proactive, self-driven approach to solving problems and identifying opportunities.

Benefits

• Exposure to key business decisions involving inventory strategy, pricing, purchasing, and market trends.
• The opportunity to develop expertise in product management, supply chain, and commercial decision-making.
• Direct collaboration with branch leaders, suppliers, and sales teams.
• Hands-on experience analyzing market data and translating insights into business recommendations.
• A highly visible role where curiosity, initiative, and critical thinking are valued and encouraged.
• Career growth opportunities within a growing national and global organization.
• A collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on long-term success.
• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Profit-sharing program.