Product Strategy Specialist - Crop Storage & Handling

Department: Product Strategy & Merchandising

Employment Type: Full-Time

Requisition ID: 684

Date Posted: January 10, 2025

Closing Date: January 24, 2025 or until filled

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Crop Storage & Handling, the Product Strategy Specialist is responsible for the management of the assigned products including profitability, sales, advertising, category planning, vendor negotiations, inventory, and product selection; for developing and managing their overall product strategy and direction. The Specialist will develop & implement UFA product assortments, pricing strategies, and promotional plans to meet member-customer needs and deliver the financial goals and objectives for the organization. They will apply best practices in category management to achieve the sales, margin & gross margin % budgets by developing key strategic vendor relationships, pricing strategies, product and inventory, promotion campaigns, and assortment plans.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Develop, in collaboration with the Manager, strategies for Product assortments, Pricing, Promotions, and inventory levels for specific product segments to drive revenue & margin growth, deliver on UFA’s business objectives and financial budgets.
• Collaborate with internal partners and stakeholders to ensure product strategies and plans are rolled-out to the business effectively and efficiently.
• Develop, in collaboration with the Manager, promotional strategies and tactics based on customer segmentation and category management principles that will achieve business and financial objectives.
• Develop, in collaboration with the Manager, the product assortment strategy and manage the product segment’s overall inventory productivity through the product life cycle stages, aged-inventory levels, and implement required actions as needed.
• Develop, lead, and communicate, in collaboration with the Manager, the pricing strategies for their product that will achieve expected business and financial objectives.
• Research marketplace trends involving product, customers, suppliers, and competitors to identify new products, sourcing, and business ideas to ensure our product assortments and customer experience are best in class.
• Manage and optimize vendor relationships, in collaboration with the Manager, with respect to their product segments and assortments. Partner with vendors regularly to focus on business growth, strengthen partnerships, improve cost of goods/payment terms/rebates/marketing co-op, and drive synergies across the business with a global approach.

Qualifications required for the position:

• Degree in Business, Economics, Mathematics, or related field and/or equivalent work experience.
• More than 5 years relevant experience with a minimum of 3-5 years in product category management.
• Crop Storage & Handling product knowledge is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
• Microsoft Dynamics experience is an asset.
• Proven track record to build strong relationships and work with cross-functional teams.
• Strong presentation & communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Exposure to competitor and business intelligence with a demonstrated ability to synthesize and report on business relevance.
• Ability to create successful strategies that meet/exceed member & customer needs and achieve product goals and financial objectives.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to business stakeholders to facilitate business opportunity discussions and strategy development.
• Able to multi-task with shifting and competing business priorities, in conditions of minimal supervision.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

At UFA, we care about the lives of our employees, members, customers, elected officials, and partners. We strive to create an inclusive environment that welcomes employees from diverse populations and backgrounds, where everyone can do their best work.

If you require accommodation in submitting this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected]