Category Manager- GWW - US - Career Growth Opportunities

Who We Are:

Guest Worldwide is a global collective of dynamic, industry-leading companies with more than 40 years of unparalleled experience serving the unique needs of diverse markets in every corner of the world. From providing full-spectrum hospitality and distribution solutions at Guest Supply® and manufacturing award-winning personal care amenities at Gilchrist & Soames, to manufacturing versatile and innovative product assortments that create smarter textile solutions at Manchester Mills, we’re proud to provide products to more than 25,000 hotels in over 100 countries. Guest Worldwide is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco – an industry leading, global food and beverage distribution company, employing thousands of employees worldwide and home to the 13th largest sales organization in the world. Learn more by visiting

Position Purpose:

The Product Marketing Manager leads the development and execution of the overall category strategy to grow designated product categories, as well as the go-to market strategy for these categories, including but not limited to determining product assortment, developing marketing strategy, managing supplier relationships, and supporting sales training through partnering with internal sourcing & manufacturing teams and distribution partners. With trends quickly shifting and new innovations & standards breaking into hospitality, these categories will be a key focus area to retain existing business and look for opportunities of growth within hospitality, as well as future opportunities in healthcare and education, and requires a strong marketing leader to support developing category plans to expand category reach and market share within these verticals.

The Product Marketing Manager will be responsible for developing annual distribution marketing plans & budgets, identifying and supporting development of appropriate product portfolios for our customer base in partnership with internal sourcing, product development, external suppliers, and sales stakeholders, managing key vendor/partner relationships to maximize reach to internal/external customer base, drive awareness of cleaning and operational trends & innovation and ensure product positioning and programs are well executed. The Product Marketing Manager also manages all category product marketing team members and ensures adequate sales and supplier support across the category.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the development/execution of strategic plan for category growth and commercialization of any new products or programs through distribution channels.

  • Develop distribution marketing strategy for category to build awareness of Guest Supply’s portfolio of manufactured and distributed product offerings, technologies & innovation, etc.

  • Identify and develop product portfolio for appropriate customer segments in partnership with manufacturing & sourcing teams and distribution partners.

  • Partner with Sales and Corporate Accounts teams in the development of annual marketing plan to support category growth.

  • Partner with Sourcing & Manufacturing, Purchasing, Business Services, Sales, and Standards & Coding to ensure products and programs are ready for commercialization.

  • Work closely with leadership to support private label strategy, acting as a key point of contact to ensure strategic SKUs are positioned appropriately.

  • Analyze all marketing campaign results and make recommendations to optimize category performance and improve KPIs and ROI

  • Evaluate & update go-to market pricing recommendations for the category.

• Manage vendor/partner relationships and their associated products to maximize reach/support internally and externally.

  • Influence relationship to maximize execution capabilities across company (new product launches, inventory troubleshooting, communication and promotional calendar-ization, securing funding, etc.).

• Develop category sales tools & training materials.

  • Lead the creation of category services and product/program materials to support category growth.

  • Support production needs of category across internal/external design services.

  • Identify category and segmented product opportunities (i.e., Green, etc.).

  • Ensure SharePoint product content and additional internal libraries are consistently up to date.

• Manage content and updates for appropriate marketing category of :

  • Oversee & audit the creation and maintenance of all item setup to ensure product lines are accurately depicted across multiple systems for both categories

  • Customer touch points (catalog, website, brochures and external collateral site, order form or price guides, etc.)

  • Internal touch points (People Soft, SKU Rationale, PIM, GSI net, intranet, image library, etc.)

  • Establish pricing guidelines (High, Low and Target) through competitive analysis.

  • Participate in events and/or trade show execution, including attendance.

  • Document business processes or workflows as needed.

• Perform additional marketing/sales support related tasks as required or assigned.

• Act as lead subject matter expert and key category contact for vendor/partners and communications.

  • Partner with communications for awareness, promotion and training for category products and services across internal departments (Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, etc.) and customers (i.e., incentives, etc.).

  • Align with Business Services team regarding contracts and rebates when relevant.

  • Partner with manufacturing & sourcing divisions to align key messaging and priorities to support through distribution marketing plans and communications.

• Setting annual objectives.

  • Lead ongoing category and programs business analysis through category management process.

  • Lead product positioning and competitive pricing analysis through category management process.

  • Partner internally to implement new product and marketing innovations through distribution channels.

  • Research as needed to expand product category knowledge.

  • Identify relevant SKU rationalization and conversion opportunities & supporting sales strategy.

• Manage Product Marketing Associates

  • Direct, coordinate and monitor the daily activities & performance of Product Marketing Associates to assure compliance of standard Company policies, procedures, quality and safety. Coach and develop team in balancing the delivery of high productivity, quality and customer service. Maintain a positive and safe work environment.

  • Oversee employee relations and participate in staff selection, performance and compensation evaluations, corrective action and terminations, as necessary. Establish performance goals, monitor progress and provide feedback, as necessary. Manage employee performance through motivation, delegation, development, mentoring and resolving conflict. Take corrective action as necessary in a timely manner and in accordance with company policy. Provide and/or coordinate training as needed. Consult with Human Resources Department as appropriate.

  • Conduct regular department meetings to foster employee engagement, communicate any changes to company policies and procedures, address employee concerns, foster idea sharing and suggestions for improvement.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or relevant years of experience.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of work experience in a marketing or category management function.

• People Leadership experience preferred.

• Knowledge of hospitality industry preferred.

• Relevant category experience preferred.

Skills:

• Product or Category Management/Marketing – Has experience managing a product category from a marketing, merchandising, category management, or brand management standpoint, including but not limited to assessment of market conditions, trends & insights, sku rationalization & supplier management, pricing recommendations & analytics, and development of supplier relationships and coinciding negotiation. Ability to assess and measure marketing effectiveness. Coordinate development and delivery of creative assets and sales tools/training.

• Strategy – Has experience and demonstrated success developing and executing business and/or category strategic growth plans. Create integrated marketing plans to help ensure merchandising and promotional efforts achieve sales objectives and align with overall brand strategies

• Financial - Must possess general business financial acumen, strong analytical skills, and experience analyzing market and competitive pricing, developing pricing strategy and pricing products to maximize growth and profit.

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and professional interactive skills are necessary to perform at a high degree of proficiency. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from suppliers, customers, management and inter-department staff. Ability to successfully engage and lead individual and team discussions and meetings. Understands team dynamics and works well within a team structure. Capable of working with internal staff from other departments in a proactive and constructive manner.

• A mastery of organizational and project management skills, including the ability to plan, prioritize and execute multiple initiatives/deadlines autonomously and shift priorities, as necessary. Able to manage large, complex projects. Uses time effectively. 

• Customer Service – Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance as needed. Follow up as needed.

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions.

• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Makes timely decisions.

• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure. Follows through on commitments.

• Detail Oriented – Attention to details and accuracy. 

• Proficient use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook) and Publisher. PeopleSoft ERP preferred.

• Copywriting experience preferred.

• Management experience preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Normal office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other office equipment (including photographic), and telephone to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. May occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• While this position will primarily work in an office environment, this position will require travel to and from internal and customer events as needed (approximately 10%). Limited overnight travel is required to attend company events, staff meetings, training sessions, and vendor events. 

• May be required to utilize personal vehicle for business travel that may result in long periods of sitting. 

• If working remote, must have required software to ensure timely communications and have a dedicated workspace free of any distractions and participate in customer or conference calls in a business-friendly environment. 

• May be required to work evenings or weekends depending on business needs.