Work Location Type: Hybrid
As a leading industrial distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom, We Keep The World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. We're dedicated to providing value for customers, fostering an engaging culture for team members and driving strong financial results.
Our welcoming workplace enables you to learn, grow and make a difference by keeping businesses running and their people safe. As a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, we're looking for passionate people to join our team as we continue leading the industry over our next 100 years.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Markham, Canada delivered to your inbox every week.
Position Summary:
Lead and oversee product management operations group, within the product management organization, in the process development, execution and implementation of the product assortment strategy; data collection, maintenance and deployment of product Information, lead and support product list price and cost management activities; including supplier or product performance metrics to ensure an effortless customer experience. Lead the Merchandising & Supplier Management Data Management program, which is responsible for executing data migration and making data easier to find, understand, and use for all team members across the Merchandising & Supplier Management organization.
Job Responsibilities (You Will):
- Directly responsible for managing the team's internal product management processes impacting product, inventory management, eCommerce, marketing, sales, and ultimately the customer.
- Create and manage analytical tools and workflow applications that orchestrate cross-functional collaboration, decision making, and process execution.
- Conduct and lead the measurement and analysis of results to identify root causes, trends and business opportunities and develop action plans for improving results.
- Achieve operational goals and objectives for product management while aligning to assortment strategy.
- Explore and identify changes in the technology landscape, such as new analytics, automation, and continuous improvement tools and technologies that will improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and provide a competitive advantage for Grainger.
- Work directly with finance, supplier performance management, pricing, compliance, Merchandising & Supplier Management product information, taxonomy and inventory management to build and improve processes that support product setup, optimization and maintenance.
- Provide strong thought leadership and influence key stakeholders towards company goals with data-driven information and insights.
- Translate customer needs into detailed product processes and system requirements.
- Manage and report end-to-end product transition trends and anomalies, offer solutions to trends with negative customer impact.
- Develop strong and effective communication plans in order to make sure any transition is well understood, and the customer experience is managed appropriately.
- Prioritize, secure, and manage necessary resources to meet/exceed established operational, translation and analytics goals and objectives related to product content and merchandising operations, and related projects.
- Lead a team of specialists and analysts, as "process users", responsible for implementation, reporting and results consistent with proscribed standard processes. Provide feedback to Product Management "process owners" as opportunities for improvement are identified.
- Accurate implementation and maintenance of developed costing strategies including managing tolerance %.
- Collect and maintain product information for product management to be leveraged across all customer interaction channels (web, SAP, catalogue).
- Contribute to supplier performance improvement strategies, implement tactics, partner with PM's and monitor improvement to plan.
- Partner with internal operational leaders and groups to gain alignment to company and team strategies, including strategically planning and responding to large supplier changes.
- May work directly with suppliers, when necessary.
- Development of operational personnel utilizing performance excellence tactics, training and coaching to meet established team goals and personal development objectives.
- Ensure compliance to negotiated service level agreements.
Education/Experience (You Have):
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Product Management, or a related field, or equivalent related experience in product or operations management, product information or product procurement.
- Experience applying data management tools (e.g. Python, DBT, Amazon s3, Docker, Kubernetes, Airflow, Bitbucket) and principles for a mid- to large-size organization/department
- Experience using Tableau/PowerBI and SQL
- Working knowledge of Teradata, Snowflake, Business Objects, PowerApps, VBA or SAP.
- Command of analytical and data concepts, systems, and strategies.
- Also demonstrated proficiency in working across varied business functions. I.e. Marketing, Branch and Sales, Services, and Inventory mgt.
- Demonstrated experience in leading a dynamic team of professionals (3 -5 years), experience in developing a team for growth.
- Demonstrated experience in driving detail-oriented results in processes such as supplier performance, information acquisition and maintenance, process improvement.
#LI-KG1
Rewards and Benefits:
Our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet your individual needs. Check out some of the benefits available to you with Grainger (may vary based on hours worked):
- Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and up to 12 company holidays per year (dependent on home province)
- Life insurance coverage, including spousal and dependent life insurance.
- Employee Family Assistance Program to help team members with physical, emotional, mental, financial and other concerns
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan & Defined Contribution Pension Plan to help you save for your financial future
- Educational & Professional Membership Fee Assistance program
- Employee discounts, team member perks and more!
DEI Statement
We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly match this job post as you may still be the right candidate for this role or others. We aspire to create a culture where everyone is comfortable being who they are, can learn and grow to realize their full potential, and is recognized and rewarded for their impact.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so we can provide appropriate assistance.
Pre-employment background checks are required for all external candidates. Internal candidates undergo a background check when they move from a non-driving role to a driving role.