Product Category Specialist

Job Summary: The Product Category Specialist is responsible for coordinating, developing, and evaluating product lines for the Product Management Department (PMD). The Product Category Specialist will be accountable for the purchasing of food products and supplies as needed for the Company. This position will report to the Manager and will have daily contact with Sales personnel, Managers, Branch Managers, Manufacturers, and Vendors. The Product Category Specialist will be responsible for purchases/ expediting of products, and inventory, supporting negotiations of contracts, and ensuring compliance with government regulations. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for procuring products, components, and services required for production following established policies and controls and accepted Wismettac practices.
• Develop product pricing structure with Product Category Assistant Manager/ Manager using current cost estimates, margin, and commission guidelines provided by management.
• Responsible for the development of private brand products for the Company.
• Review pricing strategies to ensure company profitability and competition in the marketplace. Perform periodic margin analysis.
• Utilize market information and perform necessary analysis to make recommendations to the manager to adjust product offerings based on products and programs found in the marketplace.
• Identifies and selects vendors to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices and accept terms on behalf of the company. Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Gather data, monitor, and forecast on marketing and sales trends on customers, competitors, and market conditions by going out on sales shadowing with sales employees and responsible for the Company’s figures (i.e. sales and gross profit) depending on assigned categories.
• Prepare reports and submit them to department managers, branch managers, and Wismettac affiliates including but not limited to Japan and China.
• Identifies and selects vendors to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
• Writes and distributes complex and technical bids or requests for proposals; receives and analyzes bids, quotes, and proposals, and awards the contract based on the company approval process.
• Responsible for tracking purchases, monitoring vendor quality, and maintaining a current database of vendor information.
• The Product Category Specialist will serve as one of the most skilled employees and is usually tasked to help manage the Product Category Assistant/ office clerk on schedules and assignments.
• Evaluates and analyzes purchasing trend and price trend to identify forecasting demand and minimize purchasing costs.
• Other duties assigned by PMD management.
• Japanese / English bilingual preferred