Associate Product Manager - Laminate/Board & Panel/Edgebanding

Wurth Baer Supply Company is one of the nation's leading specialty wholesale distributors to the woodworking industry, offering an extensive inventory of decorative and functional hardware, board & panel products, woodworking machinery, surfacing materials, tools and shop supplies. The company generates over $400M in annual revenue and operates 29 distribution locations across the Upper Midwest, Midwest, Ohio Valley, East, and Northeastern United States. Wurth Baer Supply Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wurth Group, a €20B+ privately held company headquartered in Künzelsau, Germany, with 450+ companies in over 80 countries.   Position Summary: The Associate Product Manager will lead all product management activities, including vendor relations, competitive analysis, product positioning, pricing strategy, and new product development for our Laminate, Board/Panel, and Edgebanding categories. This role is responsible for managing a product line to achieve or exceed revenue and profit goals for both Würth Baer Supply Company and Würth Louis and Company.  Key Responsibilities: * Develop and implement comprehensive product marketing programs to drive revenue and margin growth. * Assess market segments to determine the best product strategies for increasing utilization, penetration, and growth. * Collaborate with the marketing team to develop demand generation programs, training seminars, and sales collateral. * Identify and introduce new product opportunities to meet revenue and margin targets. * Serve as the primary liaison between Würth Baer Supply Company/Würth Louis and Company and vendors within assigned product categories. * Engage vendors in discussions regarding sales performance, promotional plans, and marketing strategies. * Conduct competitive analysis and respond to market threats proactively. * Assist in annual and long-term strategic business planning for product lines. * Develop and implement market development plans in coordination with regional marketing teams. * Support the sales process by training both Inside and Outside Sales teams on products and strategies. * Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications: * 2+ years of experience in Product Management, Category Management, or Marketing Management. * Bachelor's degree in Marketing or equivalent experience. * Strong oral and written communication skills. * Excellent presentation skills. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel. * SAP experience a plus.  * Proven experience in launching programs and products. Key Competencies: * Creative and dynamic mindset. * Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive market development efforts. * Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. * Team-oriented with a disciplined and structured approach. * Experience handling technical product-related issues. * Familiarity with e-commerce technologies and the digital marketplace. Location:  Würth Baer Supply Company - 909 Forest Edge Drive - Vernon Hills, IL 60061   Excellent Culture: This is a company where you can be yourself with a fun and upbeat culture. Long-Tenured Employees: Many of our employees have been here for 15 to 30+ years. Room for Growth: Würth Baer Supply Company is part of the Würth Group of Germany, a privately held company netting over $20 billion annually with a long legacy of promoting from within. Comfortable Interview Process: Conversational and transparent. Compensation:  $70k and up based on experience - You will have the opportunity to state your desired pay needs in the applicant questionnaire. Pre-Employment Screening:  We test for all forms of THC at this company.  Testing positive for THC on a pre-employment drug screen will disqualify you.  Job Type:  Direct Hire to WBSC.  No agencies.  No contracts.  No third parties.  Full time with benefits and PTO.  Benefits * Bundled consumer-driven Medical (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Dental (Aetna), and Vision (VSP) pricing.  New hires receive full access to benefits the 1st of the month following date of hire.  * 401(k) with matching program starts immediately.  Company will match half of the first 5% of annual compensation. * 8 paid company holidays * 2 weeks’ vacation (0 to 5 years), 3 weeks’ vacation (5 to 10 years), 4 weeks’ vacation (10 to 15 years), 5 weeks’ vacation (15+ years) * Sick time that is not excessive or categorized under special medical leave will not come out of your vacation time – honor system for salaried employees * Tuition reimbursement program * Referral program * Employee discount Equal Opportunity Employer * Würth Baer Supply Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.