Product Manager

mSupply is North America’s leading distributor of OEM repair parts and equipment, serving professionals in the appliance, HVAC, plumbing, commercial kitchen and pool/spa industries. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, mSupply is a multi-billion dollar enterprise offering an extensive product range, industry expertise and seamless service. With more than 2,000 associates across the U.S. and Canada, mSupply’s family of brands delivers with speed, reliability and precision through its branches, distribution centers and extensive fleet of delivery vehicles. Shipped orders reach 93% of U.S. customers via next-day ground delivery and 100% within two days.

About the role

The Product Manager is responsible for determining the company’s product assortment through effective analysis and selection. This role serves as a conduit between the company’s vendors and its departments, ensuring appropriate product offerings, maintaining best pricing and programs, and facilitating communication related to products and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Vendor Relations
  • Identifies and evaluates new and existing vendors to work with the best 1 or 2 vendors in each product category.
  • Coordinates meetings with primary vendors, including pre-notification communication to sales, accounting, and operations departments to request agenda items.
  • Develops and prepares purposeful meeting agendas, notes, and documentation, ensuring distribution to affected department heads.
  • Manages vendor programs by communicating with appropriate departments, gathering recommendations, and summarizing annual programs.
  • Manages the company rebate program to ensure industry-leading rebates and incentives from vendors.
  • Tracks and resolves open vendor issues, ensuring complete resolution and communication.
  • Develops and manages performance analysis for evaluating vendors and provides annual vendor reviews.
• Product Management
  • Maintains a competitive product knowledge and information database.
  • Manages the product lifecycle from introduction to discontinuance or obsolescence.
  • Assists in defining product positioning and sales strategy.
  • Provides training and supporting documents for products.
  • Recommends the selection of new products.
  • Conducts stock status management by determining products stocked by quantities and location.
  • Recommends changes for products falling below minimum sales standards.
  • Manages non-stock product disposition by recommending the best method of disposal.
  • Recommends initial pricing levels and sales margins, ensuring best cost on products.
  • Conducts product forecasting by soliciting feedback from various departments and provides recommended stock levels to the purchasing department.
  • Manages and oversees the recall process.
• Communication
  • Plans, organizes, and facilitates bi-weekly product meetings.
  • Plans and provides newsletter content for the product section.
  • Creates and administers new product process introductions.
  • Makes recommendations for and coordinates branch product training.
• Other
  • Maintains proficiency with company computer systems related to job functions, such as data entry, messaging, call logs, and queue updates.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Preferred
  • 10 or more years’ experience with HVAC business product planning and related functions.
• Minimum
  • High School diploma or its GED equivalent.
  • 8 or more years’ experience with business product planning and related functions.
  • High degree of personal ethics, customer service, and commitment to safety.
  • Knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint) and ability to learn company enterprise systems (e.g., Solar Eclipse).
  • Aptitude for mathematical operations and numerical analysis.
  • Ability to use computers, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, and phone systems.
  • Organizational skills to prioritize, set and meet deadlines, and adapt to changing work environments.
  • Ability to work independently, use sound judgment, and make thoughtful decisions in a timely manner.
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including following verbal and written instructions.
  • Ability to work effectively in group settings through collaborative, solutions-oriented, and win-win approaches.
  • Understanding and adherence to company policies and procedures.
  • Minimum keyboarding skills of 40 words per minute.

Physical Requirements

• Office/Administrative role with 7-10 hours worked per day; up to 40-43 hours per week.
• Bending: 1-3 hours per day.
• Lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds: 0-1 hours per day.
• Reviewing documents: 1-5 hours per day.
• Sitting: 3-8 hours per day.
• Standing: 3-6 hours per day.
• Using close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Using fingers, hands, and arms for office/computer work: 6-8 hours per day.
• Using hearing to talk, listen, and use phones: 1-6 hours per day.
• Using office equipment (computers, phones, scanners, fax machines): 6-8 hours per day.
• Walking: 3-6 hours per day.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage effective immediately.
• 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• HSA/FSA options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Weekly pay and employee discounts.