Location: Atlanta,GA, USA
HYBRID ROLE BASED OUT OF OUR SANDY SPRINGS OFFICE Job Purpose: Our Product Specialist will support Sales with pre-qualification and sourcing of individual category or RFQ sourcing requests. This role will accomplish their responsibilities through extensive product knowledge, drive opportunities to preferred suppliers, and leverage supplier relationships to negotiate cost reductions through alignment with the Veritiv sourcing strategy. Job Responsibilities: •Responsible for assigned product category proposals for individual field level sourcing requests; may be responsible for multi-region opportunities: o Develop customized product programs that meet the customer's needs and align with Veritiv's overall strategy and preferred suppliers. o Collaborate with sales to confirm customer application, downstream product touch points, and determine accurate technical specifications which include interpretation of engineering documentation, CAD drawings, gathering and measuring samples, etc. o Identify and collaborate with Preferred suppliers which can meet the technical needs of the request; may require collaboration with non-Preferred suppliers or a search for new suppliers outside of Veritiv's existing catalog which can support the technical requirements of the product. o Negotiate contract costs, terms, minimums, and incentives in order to gain and/or grow new business and enhance margin position utilizing internal tools and market knowledge. o Collaborate with sales and product management on sourcing strategies and to meet vendor growth incentives. •Identify highly-technical opportunities which may require a Packaging Designer and engage with proper team members for success. •Identify, drive and implement cost reductions during the RFQ process through product, costing & margin analysis. •Conduct existing customer business enhancement projects aimed at producing cost savings, margin enhancements, offering product solutions, consolidating SKUs and manufacturers with preferred suppliers, and simplifying logistic complexities. •Maintain extensive industry knowledge on product applications, new products, competitive products, pricing and market trends. Attend offsite technical training as required. •Work closely with Director to ensure effective utilization of corporate programs, preferred vendor selection, and product transitions. •Build and maintain supplier relationships and provide insight into supplier performance. •Make regular recommendations for new Preferred suppliers as gaps are identified. •Other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. Additional Responsibilities & Qualifications: •Must have the ability to understand distribution and company economics and be able to effectively communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers and suppliers. •Project management skills preferred •Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required. •Must exemplify the Veritiv CODE and operating tenets, specifically Deliver & Delight and Simplify & Speed. Work Experience: •1-3 years of related job experience. •Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and adapt to sudden changes in the work environment. •Ability to work quickly and efficiently. •Excellent verbal, written, people, and diplomacy skills are required. •Experienced practitioner able to work unsupervised. •Experience of planning, managing and organizing resources within short/medium timescales within the overall policy framework. •Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. •Strong customer service skills (friendly, courteous and helpful). •Strong planning and organization skills are required. Education: •Bachelor's Degree Preferred What We Offer •Engaging and inclusive culture with employee lead Employee Resource Groups, Veritiv Cultural Alliance, recognition platform, etc. •Extensive training opportunities, professional development programs, career pathing, and mentorship opportunities. •Collaborative atmosphere with our customers and suppliers to create healthier, safer and more sustainable communities through our responsible operations and innovative solutions. •Healthcare benefits and 401k with match start date of hire, paid time off and parental bonding time, tuition reimbursement, annual Profit-Sharing Program and much more! Learn more here. Veritiv Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Veritiv is a leading provider of design-to-delivery packaging, print, and facility solutions. With a diverse team and global reach, we're helping businesses cut costs, reduce waste, and improve efficiencies that make doing business easier. For more information, visit www.veritiv.com and connect with the Company on LinkedIn.