Manager of Product Operations

Company: UniFirst
Location: Owensboro
Posted on: May 7, 2022

Job Description:

The Manager of Product Operations is a critical role in the UniFirst Supply Chain, having responsibility for directing the flow of merchandise and related information for the benefit of UniFirst's customers. This management position leads a team that executes and maintains all purchasing related activities for UniFirst's external garment suppliers, while also ensuring compliance with company business practices.This key position will be a primary contributor in UniFirst's Product Management transformation initiative, having direct input in product portfolio management, merchandising activities associated with UniFirst catalog creation, and oversees Supplier Relationship Management requirements. The Product Operations team is also the primary resource for product field support for UniFirst's Customer Service organization, and the Manager of Product Operations will have critical inputs in re-engineering processes to optimize the information flow related to available products for UniFirst customers.As part of UniFirst's continuous improvement practices, the Manager of Product Operations will be an important stakeholder in cross-functional product-centric initiatives, interfacing primarily with other Supply Chain functions, Marketing, Sales, and laundry operations. The ideal candidate possesses demonstrated skill in Product Operations, Purchasing, business process improvement, and change management. Principal Responsibilities: Leadership Competencies:

• Skilled as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing talent within an inclusive environment.
• Able to clearly and effectively communicate up, down, and across a decentralized matrix organization.
• Proven change management skills and ability to affect change.
• Exceptional negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and quantitative approach to decision making.Purchasing Management/SRM:
  • Lead team responsible for execution and maintenance of all Purchase Orders with 3rd Party garment vendors, ensuring consistency and accuracy of all expected fulfillment projections.
  • Oversee weekly, monthly, and quarterly submissions to Accounts Payable/Finance in support of UniFirst policies.
  • Consistently evaluate UniFirst's current and potential vendor base across categories to eliminate redundancy and propose opportunities for SKU rationalization.
  • Manage & report on key supplier metrics (i.e. delivery, quality, cost) as part of monthly reporting package to leadership team.
  • Evaluate existing business processes and propose recommendations for optimization.
  • Facilitate meetings with Vendors to review new product opportunities and current business opportunities.
  • Assist with management of quotes for large spot-buys and critical customer requests.Field Support / Business Process Improvement:
    • Craft and maintain practices for communication, cross-department coordination, product knowledge management, project management, goal setting, metrics reporting, and executive updates.
    • Create and maintain centralized repositories of competitive intelligence and market segment use cases.
    • Own special projects including creation of product documentation, creation of sales training tools, writing product requirement documents.Catalog Management:
      • Review and submit catalog changes to the Director of Planning & Inventory Management.
      • Research competitor/vendor products for inclusion in catalogs.
      • Request and approve changes for UniFirst's online B2C catalog.Qualifications Requirements:
        • Bachelor's Degree, MBA or Master's in Supply Chain Management preferred
        • Minimum 5 years managerial experience in Product Operations related role
        • Experience in transformation & ERP (Oracle) preferred
        • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
        • Excellent project management skills and attention to detail
        • Strong collaboration, written and verbal communication skills
        • Strong time-management, and problem-solving skills
        • Organizational Skills
        • Strong Customer Service skills
        • Able to produce deliverables across a variety of formats (spreadsheets, presentations, documents, project plans, etc.)
        • Willingness to roll up the sleeves and do what it takes to keep the product team functioning smoothly and quickly
        • Customer FocusUniFirst offers a Fleet of Benefits, 50+ to be exact!
          • 401K with Company Match
          • Profit Sharing
          • Health Insurance
          • Employee Assistance Program
          • Life Insurance
          • Supplemental Life Insurance
          • Long Term Disability
          • Vacation
          • Sick Time
          • Paid Holidays
          • Direct Payroll Deposit
          • Tuition Reimbursement
          • 30% Employee Discount
          • Employee Referral ProgramUniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws UniFirst is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to TalentAcquisition@unifirst.com or call (978) 658-8888 to let us know the nature of your request.

Keywords: UniFirst, Owensboro , Manager of Product Operations, Executive , Owensboro, Kentucky