Product Associate

SUMMARY : The Regional Product Associate will partner cross-functionally with various departments by participating in forecasting, demand planning, inventory ordering, safety stock determination to ensure top fill rate performance in the industry. The position will focus on partnering and assisting the Product Leaders on product development, product lifecycle and portfolio management, pricing strategy, customer penetration collaboration, profit optimization, inventory flow management, and strategic global sourcing. Strongly driven and ready to be part of the key department in the largest flooring, wall, and countertop distributor in America, ranked as the 20th largest importer of any goods in the United States.

Work Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM, 1 Saturday(s) a month from 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Seniority Level: Associate

Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: This salaried, exempt position pays from $60,000 to $70,000 per year. The estimated annual pay for new hires generally ranges from $66,000 to $77,000 or more, depending on experience, education level and annual bonuses.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to complete the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• The position is wide in scope of responsibilities and requires the candidate to be able analyze and execute quickly, tackling and straddling multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
• Create demand forecasts at various levels of aggregation and seasonality as a component of demand planning.
• Help develop sales and marketing attributes and communicate them to the sales team to drive sales.
• Assist in key customer engagements where strategic product engagement is necessary.
• Provide input to the National Product Team in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and discontinued products.
• Review competitive market dynamics to identify opportunities and maximize monetization.
• Oversee incoming and outgoing internal transfers to maintain optimal inventory level to meet turns target.
• Identify slow moving and obsolete inventory (SLOB) and manage markdown/close out process.
• Address demand related queries and issues in a timely manner.
• Analyze product life cycle at a regional level.
• Create ad-hoc reports.
• Travel frequently to any branches assigned to you.
• Hands-on approach is a requirement of the job: SKU by SKU level engagement with demonstrated obsession for reasoning and quantification process is a prerequisite trait of a successful candidate.
• The candidate must have a high level of curiosity and propensity to ask the right questions.
• The candidate must be aggressive in execution but fluid and agreeable in collaborative settings.

Additionally the candidate must meet the following Education and/or Experience requirements:

• 25% travel
• Bachelors degree is required.
• Minimum of 2 years of analytical role preferred.
• High level of comfort in working with details.
• Experience in sourcing and product development is desired but not necessary.
• Superb analytical and critical thinking skills, as proven by academic records and/or demonstrable work experience.
• Must be highly capable working in fast-paced, fast-growth environment.
• Requires strong organization skills and must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills: presentation, writing, and delivery.
• Excel experience required: intermediate (pivot, v-, h- lookups) to advanced (macro).

This role has the following physical demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use their hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with their hands and arms; and communicate verbally. The employee frequently sits and may occasionally stand or walk.
  
• The employee must occasionally lift, pull and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Benefits: MSI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Referral, Holiday, and Annual Bonuses
• Annual pay increases
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Short Term and Long Term disability;
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with company matching contributions
• Charitable donation matching programs
• Free, company-sponsored 1-on-1 tutoring for children/dependents of MSI employees in grades k-12, including free tutoring for SAT and ACT tests.

About MSI: Founded in 1975, MSI is a leading supplier of flooring tile , countertops , wall and backsplash tile and hardscaping surfaces products in North America. Headquartered in Orange, California, MSI also maintains over 50 state-of-the-art showroom and distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada. MSI's product line includes an extensive offering of Granite , Quartz , Porcelain , Luxury Vinyl flooring , Slate , Marble , Travertine , Sandstone , Limestone , Quartzite , onyx , stacked stone and pavers imported from over 36 countries on six continents.

Over the years, MSI has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including:

• Top 5 fastest growing companies - OC Business Journal
• Supplier Diversity Award - Home Depot
• #1 Flooring Distributor multiple years in a row - Floor Covering Weekly
• Top Workplaces Award winner multiple times - Top Workplaces
• MSI Founder named the Entrepreneur of the Year - Ernst and Young

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and fosters inclusion and belonging for all employees. We provide a work environment that allows all employees to do their best work, free from all forms of discrimination. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military status, religion, disability status, or any other legally protected group. MSI provides reasonable accommodations for all employees and applicants. If you believe you require an accommodation, please speak with your recruiter or a member of our HR team.