The Jr Category Specialist is responsible for developing short-term and long-term product strategies for assigned tabletop categories, in order to maximize profitable growth. This includes competitive analysis, pricing, packaging, SKU rationalization and lifecycle management, portfolio management, innovation and NPD pipeline creation, forecasting, category P&L and other customer driven projects. This role will work collaboratively with sales, pricing, channel marketing, new product development and external stakeholders, in order to execute customer, product and channel growth initiatives. 

Requirements: 

Bachelor's Degree in business administration, marketing or related field; MBA preferred 

Experience preferred in category management or new product development  

Experience with tabletop consumer products is highly preferred – ceramic, glass, flatware, dinnerware, bakeware, buffetware  

Demonstrated organizational aptitude, ability to manage projects from start to completion and successfully multitask to meet deadlines 

Strong research, oral and written communication skills 

Proven ability to work effectively on teams to accomplish goals and objectives 

Broad business acumen, ability to understand and influence P&L (profitable, income statement)

Responsibilities:  

Develop short-term and long term product category strategies and product plans that define and address pricing, product, packaging and proposition 

Develop and support business cases for new products to define and quantify new product innovation pipeline 

Conduct competitive analysis, SWOT analysis and associated research on all assigned product categories – use as input and recommendation into category plans, product road maps, line reviews, etc.    

Participate in category marketing strategic planning and plan execution to meet and exceed category sales and margin goals 

Develop forecast and pricing plans for all new products 

Leverage consumer and customer research and insights to develop new products 

Partner with channel marketing, and other internal departments, on customer requested projects to ensure timeliness and communication of product launches 

Conduct analysis of post-launch product performance and make recommendations for changes/revisions 

Maintain product databases with product specifications, artwork, and catalog copy 

Select and approve product samples; prepare and present product to customers when they are on-site in Toledo; inventory and ship product samples for photography and customer reviews 

Manage ongoing product lifecycle analysis, including process for slow moving, obsolete (unhealthy) inventory 

Participate/support SKU-rationalization process 

Participate in Quarterly Category BUR analysis and presentation 

This role communicates with sales, production, marketing, PMO, engineering, supply chain, sourcing (US, MX, LATAM)

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer.

We are committed to an inclusive workplace, free of harassment and discrimination.