Category Manager/Buyer - Local Candidates Only

Summary: Overall, this position consists of assisting the merchant on a daily basis with product development and inventory planning. This includes working with the sales person(s)/team(s) in suggesting inventory availability and product alternates. Also, communicate with all associates to provide them information regarding new products including pricing, sizes, and other product details.

Work Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:30 AM to 06:30 PM, 2 Saturday(s) a month from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Seniority Level: Associate

Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: This salaried, exempt position pays from $80,000 to $100,000 per year. The estimated annual pay for new hires generally ranges from $92,000 to $120,000 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 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.
• 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.
• Decisions are expected to be delivered and executed quickly, with robust reasoning and analytical corroborations.
• The positon requires exceptional leadership skills in managing up- and down-, ensuring collaborative and constructive decision making process.
• The candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills—i.e. humility and self-awareness—and be adept at knowing when/how/how much to engage him/herself in collaborative processes.
• 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.
• Practical experience in inventory planning is required.
• While we do not have a strict industry-specific experience requirement, we have a strict requirement on demonstrated and proven (via education or experience) abilities in quantitative, reasoning, leadership faculties, as well as comprehensive understanding of product development, inventory management, and/or strategic sourcing.
• Do not apply if you do not meet all of the requirements outlined above.

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

• Bachelor Degree in relevant field (preferred)
• Superb quantitative, analytical, and reasoning skills.
• Superb interpersonal qualities.
• Superb communication skills.
• High level of comfort in working with details.
• Complex Excel modeling experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience
• Experience working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Proven ability to drive complex execution processes, including managing people who may not have reporting relationships
• Excellent verbal communication
• Strong communication skills.

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 walks, stands and occasionally sits.
• 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.