Sr. Director, Category Management

Company Overview

With $5 billion in revenue and 3,800+ employees in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, TBC Corporation is a leader in the mobility industry and one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tires through wholesale and franchise operations.   TBC serves wholesale customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico through TBC Brands, NTW, TBC International, and TBC de Mexico. Additionally, TBC responds to the needs of consumers in search of total car care at more than 2,000 franchised tire and automotive service centers under the Big O Tires® and Midas®.    TBC is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

TBC markets on a wholesale basis to regional tire chains and distributors serving independent tire dealers throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. TBC has 20 proprietary brands of tires specializing in passenger, commercial, farm and specialty tires. In 2005, TBC Corp. was purchased by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA). SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan’s major integrated trading and investment business enterprises.  In 2018 Michelin, the largest tire manufacturer in Europe, invested in the company which is now a 50:50, privately held joint venture between Sumitomo and Michelin.

Description

Reporting to the SVP/VP of Consumer Category Management, this position is responsible for strategic, tactical, and operational category management of Tier 3/4 products for the TBC enterprise. This is a dynamic position that incorporates leadership, vision, innovation and collaboration across TBC Franchise and Wholesale business units. Responsible for the category management including strategy development, optimization and administration of the appropriate product, pricing, promotional and distribution requirements needed to achieve a competitive edge, customer success, margin, and market share growth. They will develop and implement market-based segmentation strategies for all categories to ensure competitiveness, responsiveness, and coverage. Works in conjunction with TBC Purchasing group to target appropriate sourcing and costing to meet market requirements. The role oversees the product development and marketing strategy for the TBC Brands portfolio of private label, proprietary and exclusive distribution products. The Senior Director will be a progressive thinker who can develop, guide and own initiatives from start to finish.

This role will be a Hybrid work environment. 

Job Responsibilities

•    Comprehensive direction and leadership for the category management strategy of all Tier 3/4 products to align with current and future needs of the business and our customers
•    Championing the profitability and development of our exclusive, proprietary, and private label brands
•    Directs and manages the essential relationship with sales leadership to create, vet and execute programs and solutions that drive growth, customer loyalty and profitability
•    Communicates the company’s strategic vision and goals to all stakeholders, vendors and advocates for the team’s needs and objectives
•    Manage a team of direct and indirect reports, actively developing their skill sets to create a collaborative and functionally strong team
•    Define key performance metrics in alignment with company goals and prioritize their implementation within the category management team
•    Foster strong vendor relationships to establish mutually beneficial partnerships
•    Drive strategic development in various growth categories to deliver success for customers and TBC
•    Lead change management efforts to support the company’s growth plan and strategic initiatives
•    Incorporate digital transformation and data capabilities to enhance decision making processes
•    Conduct leadership reviews to refine brand and category strategy, gain competitive knowledge, initiate tactics and programs
•    Lead the development of TBC Brands strategic 5-year category road map 
•    Lead and provide category management (assortment and promotional) solutions to key customers
•    Lead and execute annual category and brands reviews as part of the product life cycle and develop plans to address consumer needs and rationalize underperforming SKUs
•    Influence and advise in the planning and forecasting of products and strategic business planning to drive maximum impact to sales and margin
•    Direct oversight to ensure proper coverage and efficiency of tires through regular reviews of on hand inventory, sales velocity, and manufacturer lead times
•    Utilize data, research, and market feedback to drive strategic product development decisions on where to focus efforts
•    Lead the marketing team in setting and achieving the business strategy for TBC Brands private label, proprietary and exclusive distribution products
•    Special projects as needed

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, supply chain, finance, or related field. MBA preferred 
•    10+ years in sales, merchandising, marketing or supply chain with proven Category Management, retail merchandising or related role experience with at least 5 years in a leadership or management capacity
•    Automotive/Tire industry or related experience a plus
•    Demonstrated track record of driving revenue growth, optimizing product assortments, and enhancing customer satisfaction
•    Solid understanding of the OE tire market is a plus 
•    Encourages all to participle in the transformation. Provides clear plans for change, advocates implementation. Serves as the primary change agent in fulfillment of business objectives. Constructs the change strategy and effectively communicates its impact
•    Strategic Decision Maker.  With little or no direction can make sound decisions involving various departments or teams. Can direct stakeholders on matters related to policy and procedures. Utilizes available and applicable analytics in the decision process 
•    Manages complex projects cross-functionally (internal or external), producing multiple project deliverables simultaneously. Uses advanced techniques to manage projects, including control and reporting strategies to monitor changes
•    Demonstrates strategic leadership to inspire and mobilize teams to embrace and drive change, effectively engages with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external; contributes to innovation and creativity; champions diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Influence extends beyond boundaries, making a substantial impact on the organization as a whole
•    Understands multiple methods and styles of communication. Managers communication style according to the audience and to ensure maximum effectiveness. Able to adjust style intuitively to meet the needs at hand
•    Makes recommendations and decisions.  Supports and advocates data management, controls, and data mining applications and systems. Is pursued for advice in existing and future technology systems. 
•    Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office 
•    Experience with data analytics/visualization tools (Qlik, PowerBI and/or Alteryx) a plus 
•    Experience using NPD/GFK/Vehicle Fitment data a plus 
•    Profound understanding of productivity patterns and advanced techniques to maximize efficiency.  Consistently achieve their goals, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and inspire those around them. 
•    Excels as an individual contributor but also possesses exceptional leadership skills.  Ability to engage and empower teams internally and externally to deliver shared objectives. Understands the unique strengths of each team member and know how to harness those strengths for maximum collective benefit
•    Understands all information sources and builds on them by developing new business intelligence reports, trend charts and process controls. Implements improvements to meet the needs of stakeholders. 
•    Exceptional ability to cultivate a culture of respect, inclusivity, and safety.  Skillful at nurturing talent through continuous feedback loops and identifying potential future leaders within the team.  Anticipates conflicts, builds strong team cohesion. 
•    In Office (1 day remote) 
•    Willing to travel 10-20%

Benefits

•    Competitive compensation and monthly bonus potential
•    Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
•    Company paid short term disability and company subsidized long term disability
•    Company paid life insurance
•    401(k) with company match and immediate 100% vesting
•    Generous paid vacation and paid time off
•    Tuition reimbursement
•    Flexible spending account
•    Employee assistance program
•    Purchasing power program that allows associates with a year of service to make large retail purchases through convenient payroll deduction
•    Vendor purchase discount program

TBC Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a Drug-Free Work Environment.
 
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