Job Title: L.E. Category Manager

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Industry: Defense/Firearms Industry

Job Type: Full Time

Description:  Effectively represents the brand throughout all external communication channels.  Creates vision and strategy for the growth of the L.E. business division.  Overall responsibility for the profitability of the business division and the development of personnel.

The Company:

For over 70 years, the Employer has been providing quality Gunsmithing tools, gun parts and service to the firearms industry.  The Employer has built a reputation in the industry for their identifiable products and their promise of service, selection and satisfaction.

The Position:

Creates vision and strategy for the growth of the business

·         Identifies and creates strategy for development of select areas of the business

·         Effectively communicates strategy

·         Recommends changes in or support of marketing philosophy and policy as conditions warrant

Responsible for the operational effectiveness of the business and the execution of marketing plans

·         Plans, directs and coordinates the marketing plan for products and services.

o        Continually evaluates and makes timely adjustments to marketing strategy and plans to meet the changing markets and competitive conditions.

o        Monitors customer preferences

o        Monitors customer preferences

o        Provides marketing advice and guidance to various operating units to ensure overall market effectiveness.

·         Works with other areas of the business to evaluate need of current and future resources to meet needs as set for by the vision and strategy

o        Capital investments

o        People investments

o        Customer segment investments

o        Product investments

Effectively represents the brand to the public

·         Selects and attends industry events such as trade shows, conventions, etc.

·         Works with the employers PR to promote the brand to customer segments through various channels including electronic and print media, trade groups, etc.

·         Develops and maintains effective networks in the industry

Responsible for the profitability of the division

o        Determines pricing schedules

o        Reviews operational records

o        Prepares budget and manages to meet target levels

Responsible for developing designated individuals to fulfill succession planning

·         Meets weekly with direct reports to ensure open communication and provide regular and ongoing mentoring.

·         Meets quarterly with direct reports and works with him/her to develop career paths

·         Provides leadership and development opportunities to staff

Basic Qualifications:

• BA from accredited college or university and 5+ years managerial experience
  
• Implicit understanding of all facets of direct marketing including:
  
  
  
  • Direct marketing concepts, processes, metrics
    
  • Market Analytics
    
  • Merchandising
    
  • Pricing
  
  
• Up to date industry knowledge including:
  
  
  
  • Customer knowledge
    
  • Product life cycles
    
  • Recent trends
  
  
• Business knowledge including:
  
  
  
  • Project Management
    
  • Budget Preparation and Review
    
  • Procurement Models to support customer segment

Skills

• Excellent verbal communication skills
  
• Computer skills including proficiency in spreadsheets
  
• Leadership skills including mentoring
  
• Forecasting a plus

Abilities

• Must be able to integrate historical data into future planning and forecasting
  
• Must be able to identify, evaluate, and select solutions to problems
  
• Must be willing and able to take measured risks
  
• Must be able to effectively work from remote locations, including ongoing communication

Aptitude/Theme

• Arranger
  
  
  
  • Aligns variables into best configuration
    
  • Flexible
    
  • Best in dynamic situations (bored by rules and procedures)
    
  • Intuitive sense for how different people can work together
    
  • Best positioned in most dynamic area in the organization
  
  
• Maximizer
  
  
  
  • Helps others succeed
    
  • Develops measures of performance
    
  • Build upon pockets of excellence
  
  
• Responsibility
  
  
  
  • Take psychological ownership
  
  
• Self-Assurance
  
  
  
  • Able to take risks and deliver
  
  
• Strategic
  
  
  
  • Sort through clutter to find the best route:  “What if?” Select, Strike

Measures

• Finance:            Gross Profit, EBITDA
  
• Marketing:         Customer Growth, AOV, Frequency
  
• Operations:       Timeliness and effectiveness of channel development and support
  
• Learning and Growth:     People Development

David Barton
SITER - NEUBAUER & ASSOCIATES
5001 Byers Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(V) 817-989-9700 ext. 32
dbarton@sncompanies.com
www.sncompanies.com