Product Manager - Corn Sweeteners
10 days ago
Des Plaines
Job DescriptionSalary: Starting at $70K This position requires candidates to be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employment sponsorship. At Batory Foods, we encourage our team to Bring YOU, Every Day because true success starts with the ability to be yourself and letting your unique talents shine. Since 1979, the heart of our success has been our people. The Friedman family established a legacy of generosity, warmth, and respect. And with core values like Invest in Relationships and Be Relentless About Improvement, each member of our team consistently strives for excellence to uphold that legacywhether its related to the employee experience, our processes, or the customer journey. Join our team today and help us build a better tomorrow, together. Benefits: 14 holidays with an end of year holiday refresh break Health, Vision and Dental Insurance 401K Plan &Profit-Sharing program Tuition reimbursement program Be Positively Excellent well-being program. Term Life Insurance Plan Standard Disability Plan PRODUCT MANAGER CORN SWEETENERS Job Description: The Product Manager will manage products in the Corn Sweeteners ingredient lines by working closely with designated vendors, internal customers including sales, customer service and technical support for product application development. Responsibilities: • Develop strong working relationships and strategic partnerships with Batory Foods vendors., • Lead and support vendor contract negotiations to ensure favorable terms and mutual value., • Participate in vendor-led training sessions to deepen understanding of product functionality, applications, and target markets., • Develop comprehensive knowledge of product characteristics, uses, and customer applications to identify growth opportunities., • Serve as an internal subject matter expert and primary point of contact for the sales team regarding product line inquiries., • Collaborate closely with Sales and Inventory teams to maximize profit margins and minimize aged inventory., • Build an understanding of market pricing dynamics, including distribution versus direct sales channels., • Partner with Sales to establish and recommend strategic pricing models., • Work with vendors to identify additional LTL opportunities and strategic alignment initiatives., • Identify new market segments and target industries for expansion., • Analyze competitive landscape and develop strategies to effectively position products in the marketplace., • Support and execute sales and market strategies as directed by Senior Management., • Collaborate with fellow Product Managers to develop complementary product strategies and cross-selling initiatives., • Partner with Sales Managers and Account Managers through direct customer communication, site visits, and participation in sales meetings to drive product line growth., • Travel as required to industry events, customer visits, and vendor meetings., • Actively contribute to the overall Product Management team strategy and initiatives., • Maintain focus on core product lines while strategically managing the addition of new SKUs., • Support deeper penetration within existing Batory Foods accounts and foster strong internal collaboration across departments., • Exercise disciplined SKU management to ensure portfolio optimization., • Assist in training employees on product line knowledge and market positioning., • Commit to continuous professional development and industry education., • Achieve annual sales growth targets of 1015% in both gross profit and volume., • Increase customer line item penetration per sales order. Education and formal training: • Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field required., • 810 years of commercial sales or product management experience., • Demonstrated expertise and deep industry knowledge within the Corn Sweeteners market., • Ability and willingness to travel 3050%, including overnight travel as needed., • Proven ability to manage multiple product lines and SKUs simultaneously with strategic focus and discipline., • Acts with integrity and transparency, consistently building trust in all professional interactions., • Cultivates a collaborative, professional environment that promotes teamwork across internal and external stakeholders., • Self-motivated and results-driven; demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision., • Highly detail-oriented with exceptional project and time management skills; effectively prioritizes in a fast-paced, evolving environment., • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with ERP and CRM platforms, including Microsoft D365., • Strong analytical capabilities with the confidence to engage in technical discussions and interpret complex data., • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives while maintaining accuracy., • Demonstrates leadership presence and influence, thriving in a team-oriented culture and committed to shared success., • Embodies and models The Batory Basics, reinforcing the core behaviors that sustain Batorys strong and positive culture. Batory Foods in an equal opportunity employer which considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, Batory Foods also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify us immediately.