Associate Product Manager

Unlock your potential with Prinova We are Prinova, a leading global supplier of ingredients and premix manufacturing solutions, and trusted by the world’s best-known food, beverage, and nutrition brands. Part of the NAGASE Group, our expertise lies in Ingredient Distribution, Manufacturing Solutions, and Customized Services. Our global network of colleagues, located in offices and manufacturing facilities around the world, deliver sustainable value-added solutions to our customers. We are recognized for our deep expertise, commitment to excellence, and bold innovation, which have earned us a strong reputation as a trusted industry leader. Wherever your career is headed, you’ll find direction, opportunity, and belonging with us. Associate Product Manager Department: Purchasing, Distribution Location: Remote or Itasca, IL Type: Full-time Summary: The Associate Product Manager (APM) supports both the Category Director (CD) and Product Management (PM) team by managing product portfolios, driving growth, executing product strategies, and assisting with purchasing, pricing, and inventory management. The APM is responsible for the performance and learnings of assigned product portfolios. This includes analyzing product performance, identifying growth opportunities, and supporting the design and execution of product strategies alongside the Category Director and Product Management team. The APM ensures that the portfolio aligns with the company’s overall business goals and profitability targets. The role requires strong collaboration cross-functionally with various functions such as marketing, sales, supply chain, finance, and operations. They may also engage with customers for feedback and insights, typically supported by the Category Director or Product Managers. The APM learns and executes the purchasing and pricing processes, helping to maintain optimal inventory levels through the management of orders, deliveries, and stock. They are tasked with achieving target inventory turns while ensuring customer sales/service objectives are met. This includes monitoring product life cycles, evaluating supplier performance, and executing replenishment plans effectively. Though mostly supported by the CD and PMs, the APM will participate in customer-facing interactions to understand market needs, gather feedback, and ensure product offerings meet expectations. This helps refine product strategy and supports profitable growth. The APM role is a dual learning and execution position. It provides exposure to strategic product management, category oversight, and operational execution within a business, serving as a foundation for advancing into higher product or category management roles in the future. In summary, the Associate Product Manager is a pivotal support role designed to bridge operational execution and strategic product management, ensuring that product portfolios are managed effectively, grow sustainably, and meet business and customer objectives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned Continue to learn the purchasing system, including both domestic and foreign, as well as interaction with Prinova’s overseas purchasing agents (China-based). Support the development and execution of product line strategy vision, ensuring prioritization and proper communication across the organization. Conduct analysis on the current business to identify how best to implement the business model. Work closely with sales on customer needs for pricing, inventory stock, technical questions, or market information. Compile competitor intelligence, and incorporate learnings into ongoing platform management. Ensure that all dealings are with vendors providing high quality products and services, while following the highest code of ethics and conduct Work together with management and sales to outline targets (growth rate, revenue, CM, GP criteria). Manage Inventory levels, turns, PO’s and soft costs for products assigned or as needed for the PM team. Ensure that contract positions are secure for fulfillment. Eliminate excess and overstock inventories. Research import data from various resources and report to PM team. Monitor and update open orders (past due report) and follow up on incoming and outgoing products, especially for “hot” customer shipments. Address problem shipments (over, short, damaged) to customer’s satisfaction and ensure any claims needed are filed and tracked. Review prior week results and verify shipments completed on time; project upcoming week and ensure production and delivery dates are in line with expectations. Resolve problems / concerns with production and shipping; highlight problem areas to management and ensure customer expectations are reset when needed. Organize and dispatch product samples with BDA support and relevant accompanying paperwork such as SDS, Spec, Kosher, etc. Follow up to obtain and log sample feedback. Build extensive knowledge in international trade practices such as delivery terms, payment terms, customs clearance, duty/tariffs/anti-dumping, regulations for hazmat, FDA, DEA products etc. Direct responsibility will be given for a number of products on par with what is expected of an Associate Product Manager, which includes responsibility and accountability for: Total margin Margin percentage Inventory turns Inventory level Old inventory Ensure competitiveness within the market Communicating with the sales team Additional duties as deemed necessary by the Vice President and Category Director, Ingredients. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university OR related experience, plus 2+ years’ experience in a commercial sales environment. Required Skills/Abilities: Proven success as a self-directed business associate Strong written and verbal communication skills Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills Excellent sales and customer service skills Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to prioritize tasks when appropriate Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Knowledge of Salesforce.com and familiarity or general aptitude for ERP systems is preferred Travel: Up to 20% travel Work Conditions & Physical Requirements: 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. Ability to lift up to 10 lbs. Work environment is normally in an office setting. Must be able to make rounds in a warehouse environment if needed Ability to view a computer screen and type for extended hours Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time Other physical requirements include moderate standing and occasional squatting, bending, and twisting Ability to work around a variety of different smells and aromas Ability to adjust work schedule as business needs require. Quality/Safety Responsibilities: All Prinova employees are required to ensure compliance standards with food safety, food defense and food quality. (FDA, ILDPH, FSMA and BRC). It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards issued under OSHA and to follow all rules, regulations, and procedures established by the Company to ensure that their actions do not impact the health and safety of themselves or others. What’s in it for you? Competitive Pay – $75,000 - $95,000 annually + Eligible Bonus Experience, education, geographic location and shift all taken into consideration. Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision Employer paid STD and LTD HSA and FSA Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave PTO Employer paid Basic Life Insurance 401(k) & Roth with employer match Eight Paid Holidays + 3 Floating Holidays Voluntary - Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Personal growth including training and development opportunities Disclaimer: Prinova is committed to providing equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, creed, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, medical leave, marital status, citizenship status, ancestry, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, Civil Air Patrol status, or any other characteristic or group status protected under applicable law.