Job description

This position assists the Category Manager with the creation, maintenance and ongoing development of a specific product category assortment, including operational support to meet strategic sales, margin dollar, inventory, availability, quality, and compliance goals. This position partners with Global Sourcing and Merchandising to ensure pre-article set up compliance requirements are completed to enable procurement of products with the highest possible quality at the best possible cost, including deals to supplement the ongoing permanent assortment. The position also partners with Supply Chain, Finance, Store Operations, Compliance, Quality and other internal functions, as needed, to execute the business plan for the assigned product category assortment.

Primary Functions:

• Ensure vendor/product regulatory compliance requirements including but not limited to collection, analysis, and interpretation of pre-article chain-of-custody documentation and assessment of product risk, is completed and approved prior to the article’s purchase
• Analyze supplier documentation in pre-article review process to confirm onboarding requirements are met and Planograms are executable
• Identify outstanding requirements to manage the timeline and advise other stakeholders on the progress of product through the onboarding process
• Perform analysis related to sales to space ratios and changing sales/market trends to ensure that planned sales, margin dollar, inventory and available weeks of supply are achieved by each product category assortment
• Compile data to update heat maps including life-cycle management of out-of-program SKUs and new SKU onboarding, to allow Category Managers to monitor, analyze, and promote their assortments ultimately driving gross margin and revenue
• Ensure seamless execution of everyday/promotional pricing in an OPP/good/better/best format to achieve specific goals including corporate budget mandates, driving traffic, increasing top line revenue and/or reducing inventory levels for the assigned category

o. Compile data for OPP, Good, Better, Best (OGBB) grid for current and future POGs including summary of distribution of SKUs across the OGBB categories by format

• Update Mix Margin vendor pool data
• Compile, organize and maintain photos, information, and action items for future POGs beginning w/ assortment strategy concept through availability for sale
• Support Inventory Management, Global Sourcing and Supply Chain teams to secure uninterrupted inventory supply of purchased items for the purpose of maintaining adequate stock levels to support customer demand for the assigned product category
• Assist in the management of product life cycle functions including step-up selling structure in an OPP/good/better/best format featuring coordinated add-on accessory selling options within targeted go to market promotional events and a planned end-of-life extinction process
• Participate in the review and adjustment of assortment plans as needed to achieve sales and margin plans and to maintain competitive presence in the marketplace
• Provide information and data to Global Sourcing to facilitate cost negotiation, forecasting, payment terms, product specifications and delivery schedules
• Identify new products to innovate and refresh product offering by securing and evaluating feedback from stores, evaluation of competitor assortments, and research of market trends/consumer demands
• Facilitate timely communication with internal and external customers to ensure pertinent category information is provided to all applicable departments/clients for the assigned category.
• With guidance from the Category Manager, create and/or review all product information for internal and external communications, including catalogs, brochures, web presentation, warranties, installation instructions, etc.
• With guidance from the Category Manager, develop product knowledge and product category training for store and internal sales associates
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline processes and work cooperatively with other teams

Secondary (Non-Essential) Functions:

• Visit stores, suppliers and competition to learn about field needs, challenges and competitor activities to review assortments, product availability, pricing, and product development.
• Provides technical support to the stores and company stakeholders as required.
• Other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient with internet web platforms and MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated experience with database management; Experience with SAP and MS Access preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting information, responding to questions from co-workers, vendors, clients, and customers, and writing reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals
• Ability to build positive relationships with peers, departments and vendors (team player).
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to follow instructions in verbal or written form
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• Ability to multi-task and interact and work well with teams in a fast paced environment
• Ability to prioritize and manage commitments and adjust to changing priorities
• Demonstrates sound judgment by making effective decisions and being able to support decisions with facts and analysis. Includes others in decision making process and makes decisions in a timely manner.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred
• One to three years of category or inventory management experience in similar industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Just Picture It! A career at LL Flooring! At LL Flooring, our vision is to become customers' first choice in hard surface flooring by providing the best experience from start to finish. Your contributions as a LL Flooring teammate will leave a lasting impression with our customer as they find FLOOR LOVE. With over 437 stores nationwide and two distribution centers, the career opportunities at LL Flooring are endless. If you're customer obsessed, seize the opportunity, and apply today!

At LL Flooring, we are committed to being a company that delivers an inclusive, diverse team and culture which understands, values, and adapts to the needs of our associates and customers. LL Flooring is an equal opportunity employer. LL Flooring does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other status protected by state or local law. If you need assistance or to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, related to the search for employment opportunities or to complete an application, please contact us at recruiting@llflooring.com LL Flooring adheres with the California Consumer Privacy Act Notice for California Consumers (CCPA Notice). To find out more click here, CCPA Supplemental Notice.

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