Associate Product Manager, Military Resale

Description

Job Identification

• Job Title: Associate Product Manager, Military Resale
• Department: Military Resale
• Reports to: Director Retail
• Location: Alexandria, VA
• Grade: 18
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Statement of Purpose

Direct, lead and manage the development and implementation of the SKILCRAFTÒ product line from a product development, product maintenance and line extension standpoint. Drive product development to keep SKILCRAFT product line current with retail market. Develop new categories and a pipeline for future product growth, aligned with NIBs strategic goals. Responsible for category management, market/product research, developing product and packaging design, pricing, planograms, merchandising and promotional techniques to the program.

Business Communications

• Employees in Other Divisions Frequently
• Supervisory Personnel Frequently
• NIB Associated Agencies Continually
• Federal and/or State Government Agencies Occasionally
• Private Sector Business/Suppliers Frequently

Education

• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be acceptable.

Training and Specialized Knowledge

• Strong business and project planning/management skills.
• Strong leadership, management and interpersonal skills.
• High degree of skills for marketing, sales, and product distribution functions.
• Knowledge of product life cycle.
• Knowledge of Commissary and Exchange system
• Knowledge of Government contracting policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of AbilityOne policies, regulations, and requirements beneficial, but not mandatory.
• Skilled at working across the organization and the agencies, interfacing with multiple personality types ensuring focus on NIBs business development goals.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication Skills
• Ethics/Integrity
• Customer Care
• Job Knowledge/Technical Skills
• Process Improvement

Experience

• Minimum six years experience in marketing, merchandising, product development, project management, and/or business development, in a marketing-oriented retail environment.
• Military Resale experience very beneficial.
• Experience in a fast-paced cross-functional team environment interdating and collaborating regularly with multiple agencies and other departments.

Travel

Visits to nonprofit agencies, government agencies, MR customers, other NIB office and NIB meetings as required (up to 5%).

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Lead Existing and New Product Development Efforts:

• Responsible for the overall management of MR SKILCRAFT categories (Category Management) from an assortment, quality, design, pricing, packaging and positioning standpoint. Manage and implement product development functions, ensure that product opportunities meet the needs of customers and support agency capabilities.
• Identify market opportunities to include new categories, products, product line extension and product modifications to maximize potential under AbilityOne, for corporate sales and BWY objectives.
• Strategically develop new categories and products designed to create future growth and a pipeline of new innovative products.
• Regularly analyze market conditions to keep abreast of trends including brands, prices, and market share. Conduct a competitive survey of local grocery stores, mass retailers (K Mart, Wal-Mart, and Target) and MR outlets a quarterly basis. Provide competitive surveys for all new products under consideration or development.
• Using Category Management principles, work with the functional groups to provide a plan existing SKILCRAFTÒ products must satisfy, to remain competitive. Provide an annual plan to Director Retail Military Resale for all SKILCRAFT categories. Review and analyze all SKILCRAFTÒ products on a quarterly basis to determine best and bottom sellers, need for item or need for product changes/upgrades to annual plan. Provide a suggested plan of action for all items not meeting specified market and sales requirements.
• Collaborate with the agencies on discontinued products or bottom sellers, to create new products current with market trends.
• Work with the agencies on developing and creating new products, provide guidance and direction to meet customer needs.
• Stay abreast of non-profit agency capabilities to find new work using existing capabilities where possible.
• Work with Branding and Packaging Manager to develop packaging for all new products or product packaging updates as needed.
• Provide industry expertise by continuing to update knowledge of retail/industry trends through trade shows, internet research and catalogs/magazines.
• Coordinate promotional Point of Sale (POS) material with Brand Marketing and Communications.
• U.S. AbilityOne Commission Forms- Working with Product Development Support Specialist to ensure that all committee forms for new products or product changes on the current line are processed, approved by Military Resale Customers or changed by product manager are completed. Follow and track projects to ensure all projects become effective and meet BWY requirements.
• Work with admin support, provide direction on how to maintain all pricelists, product lists, product specifications, catalog, EmpowerIT data, GDS product maintenance, and agency products list current and reflective of all product changes.

Product Distribution

• Coordinate the functions for new product launches from agency to SKILCRAFT distribution system.
• Manage and execute the startup of new products. Set up inventory levels for each New Product Introduction and communicate with the appropriate parties.
• Review all new products before they enter the distribution system to ensure they reflect the quality and packaging standards set for the new product. Resolve any issues with agency or Branding and Packaging Manager.

New Products/Categories

• Determine specific business lines or product areas to pursuit. Develop a pipeline of products to keep current items fresh and provide future growth for the program. Continually look beyond existing product line to identify and recommend products. Identify new opportunities and product re-designs.
• Provide guidance to agency to ensure all product goals are clear and performed timely on any customer specific requests.
• Collaborate with the agencies on product launch process.
• Develop creative solutions to any roadblocks encountered during execution process for the customer.
• Lead product design projects through completion, guiding through all milestones to meet customer needs.
• Provide a product specification sheet for all new products introduced.
• Provide a monthly report updating sales on all new products. Track all new products or upgrades for a year period.
• Manage Syndigo process on new products for the customer.

Promotional/One Time Buys/Seasonal Activity

• Establish a yearly promotional plan designed to meet the needs of the sales objectives and customer business plan and goals metrics.
• Work with affiliate to obtain promotional approval. Confirm all approvals in writing.
• Coordinate with Brand Management any promotional Point of Sale (POS) material.
• Provide promotional information to Director Retail Military Resale by the 25th of the preceding presentation month. Include information necessary for presentation.
• Advise affiliate of customer decision regarding the promotional offering. If the promotion is approved, develop a distribution plan from agency to store. Advise affiliate of the promotional quantities and shipment requirements within one week of approval by customer.
• Provide a promotional analysis of the effectiveness of the promotions by base one-month after promotional period.

Planograms

• Review planograms every six months to ensure maximization of sales.
• Revise planograms as needed to account for new item introductions or deleted product.

Military Resale Pricing

• Review and update monthly price quotes.
• Manage Military Resale Pricing and provide bi-weekly/monthly price updates/changes to Broker.
• Manage the annual pricing process working through agency price increase requests, while maintaining a competitively priced retail product. Complete by December all requirements for the Presidential Appointed Commission.

• Other duties as assigned.

NIB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

NIB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Qualifications