Category Manager – Decking

Join our team and be a part of shaping the future of outdoor spaces with innovative decking solutions!

As a Category Manager, you will be empowered to grow margin and profitability of our decking lines, enabling the BU to meet its overall financial objective. You will provide thought leadership and direction to ensure we have the right products, in the right channels, with the right pricing architecture. You will have a deep understanding of the market and target customer groups to recommend strategies that will increase market share and profitability throughout the product lifecycle.

This is a hybrid role that can be based in our Maumee, OH or North Olmsted, OH locations. You will work in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays while having the ability to work from home on Mondays and Fridays. Candidates should also be able to travel up to 25% of the time, mainly to customer locations.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• In collaboration with the FBIN COE’s and functions, Create Product Strategies that align to and enable the BU’s strategic plan, utilizing both an 80/20 and total product lifecycle management mindset. Articulate the strategy on what we should sell and innovate more or less of, and how we will position our products in the different channels to market.
• Develop and execute annual product plans to meet growth, market share and profitability goals. Manage trade-offs and balance conflicting demands to execute required initiatives to prune (exit), fix (cost, quality) and grow (marketing, product/omni channel strategy, new product introductions) the product lines profitably.
• Determine product line pricing architectures and lead annual pricing strategy to maximize our profitable share across channels. Partner with Revenue Growth Management, sales, analytics and finance teams to understand channel dynamics & competitive positioning, set list prices, and review the revenue and profit impact of price requests/changes.
• Influence and educate the business on how we go to market. Provide thought leadership and direction within and outside the organization for business, technical or competitive issues on assigned product line/s.
• Develop new product/solutions/services objectives, strategies and timelines to maximize market share growth.
• Champion the “Voice of the Customer & Consumer” by developing a thorough understanding of customer and market needs / trends. Conduct competitive analysis and gain insight to product gaps or advantages.
• Responsible for providing a regular profit review of product line results, with recommended actions, to accomplish attaining market share, revenue, and profitability targets for assigned product range.
• Effectively communicate and explain the rationale of product line strategies, positioning, channel needs, financial impact, priorities and customer requirements.
• Provide sales and product training support to drive revenue and profitability goals of product line. Attend industry-related trade shows, sales meetings, and maintain trade association contacts as needed. Maintain a general understanding of pertinent industry standards to best position assigned product line.
• Support brand marketing / marketing services with product knowledge, promotional strategies and tactics for assigned product lines. Review content and message of all collateral materials and communications for assigned product lines. Ensure the accuracy of product offering, descriptions, pricing, etc. in all company communications.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of product management experience in durable goods manufacturing, including new product launch, portfolio analysis, product life cycle management, category simplification, and management of cross-functional teams
• Prior demonstrated success in developing product plans for retail and/or wholesale channels
• Various market segments and channel experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA in Marketing, Business or related field
• Prior P & L experience
• Experience in product development, marketing and promoting products through creative marketing processes with retail or trade partners
• Experience with commercial building products and distribution, specifications, architects and façade design a plus

Fiberon Decking