Job Description
Category Specialist I
Kimball Midwest, a national distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation products, is searching for a Category Specialist I for our Columbus, Ohio location.
As a Kimball Midwest associate, you will experience why we have been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Columbus 13 years in a row! Our sales revenue growth is dynamic, increasing from $1 million in 1983 to over $500 million today. Throughout all our growth we have kept the family owned and operated culture alive. At Kimball Midwest, you are a name and not a number and we pride ourselves on our unique culture.
Responsibilities
Build product portfolio strategies and driving financial results for assigned category
Create product strategies that drive revenue growth, GP and GPAC, and enhance sales rep earnings.
Assist the Manager of Category Management & the Director of Product Management & Commercialization in the aggressive, profitable, and successful growth of the Company.
Develop insights that are derived from data and are customer focused that progress merchandising strategies for your assigned categories.
Analyze product assortment and data analytics to establish priorities within product categories based on market trends, customer needs, portfolio gaps, strategic plans, and feasibility to execute.
Execute new product development process, partnering with Product Line, from ideation through development and launch.
Heavily utilize Microsoft Excel to analyze category performance and produce actionable insights.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business administration or marketing or equivalent work history.
2-3 years of experience in category management, preferably with a distribution company supported by a large sales force.
Ability to understand data, its impact on your categories, and make informed decisions as a result. Example: How many of this widget did we sell in Q1 of 2025 in Ohio and is that good or bad? Why and what should we do as a result?
Strong comfortability with Microsoft Excel is a must in this position.
Understand how end-users interact with products, how they fit into the overall category and how the products compare vs competition. Identify end-user wants/needs and gaps/opportunities relative to current and competitive offerings that will lead to product innovation.
Ability to handle multiple projects and timelines.
Strong cross-functional collaboration between different teams in the Marketing department and across the organization.
Entrepreneurial spirit
Additional Information
We offer a benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, company sponsored life, optional life and disability insurance, Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts, a 401(k) plus match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (PTO), a Dress for your Day dress code and paid holidays.
This position is hybrid for the foreseeable future. In the office T-R and at home Monday and Friday.
High opportunities for growth and additional compensation in this position.
Kimball Midwest is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a program of recruitment of females, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, qualifying veterans and any other classification that is protected by federal, state, or local law.
We Participate in E-Verify. Participamos en E-Verify.
#LI-CR1
#LI-Hybrid
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets
