Regional Commercial Operations Specialist

Situation Summary: Prysmian Group, with local headquarters in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is a leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the communications, energy, industrial and specialty markets.  The Company offers competitive strengths in such areas as breadth of product line, brand recognition, distribution and logistics, service and operating efficiency.  Communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications.  Energy cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products.  The Industrial and Specialty segment is comprised of application-specific cables for uses such as electrical power generation (traditional fuels, alternative and renewable sources, and distributed generation), the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, mining, industrial automation, marine, military and aerospace applications, power applications in the telecommunications industry, and other key industrial segments. 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Product Manager, the Commercial Operations Specialist is accountable for daily and strategic management of pricing and inventory as specified within contractual agreements. The Commercial Operations Specialist primarily works cross-functionally with inside sales, other product team members, engineering, outside sales, supply chain and operations.

Responsibilities:

Manage Customer & Vertical Market Pricing & Strategy:

• Understand customer and vertical market pricing in a dynamic and changing market and align/balance with business profitability goals (Coordinate with Regional Sales Managers and Product Management)
• Monthly and quarterly maintenance of customer price sheets including regular metal updates as well as occasional raw material increases in accordance with contractual obligations
• Align with Product Team on internal cost management, vertical market strategy, and pricing levels
• Communicate impactful market feedback to Product Team as needed
• Provide feedback on regional public power strategy overall and during multi-distributor bid situations

Manage Overall Customer Profitability & Working Capital

• In partnership with Finance and Product Management:
• Create Vertical Market and Customer-Level visibility to monthly/quarterly/annual profitability vs. Management Plan and Last Entry Forecast
• Create financial bridge from actual monthly results vs. forecasted
• Disposition customer specific at-risk and Slow Moving & Obsolete inventory (weekly to monthly)
• Lead internal customer complaint discussions and action accordingly
• Manage customer contract/program requirements:
• Develop streamlined KPI/QBR/SRM reporting and maintain/update reports at agreed upon cadence
• Participation in onsite customer/CP/QBR/SRM meetings as needed
• Partner with Supply Chain to regularly review contractual inventory requirements vs. current inventory status to identify any gaps
• Support Reel Management Program by providing visibility of outstand reels vs. contractual terms to Regional Sales Team

Contract renewal/New Contract Bid Process Leadership

• In coordination with Power Distribution Contract Manager:
• Support bid meetings with relevant internal team members
• Help establish tasks, deadlines, and task owners
• Support RFP award kickoff events

Reporting & Analysis

• Data mine from various sources (SAP, BI, HFA, BO, WebQuery) based on analysis need
• Strong Excel skills necessary with the ability to quickly manipulate and analyze data  
• Will be tasked with actions such as pricing and cost analysis specific to the region/customer/price sheet/etc.
• Become the “the voice of the customer” for key internal BU operational meetings (Allocation Committee, SIOP, Forecasting, etc.)

Problem Solving & Cross-Functional Support

• Liaise with Regional Sales Managers, Inside Sales, Supply Chain and Product Management on escalated customer issues
• Translate customer needs into actionable items for cross-functional support
• Create a working cadence with upstream/downstream internal customers ensuring regional alignment with a continuous feedback loop
• Become the key point of contact during multi-week emergency storm restoration efforts

Key Job Requirements:

• Strong computer skills, proficient in Excel
• Proficiency in data mining, trend analysis, correlation and forecasting
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and be an influencer within a matrix organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to think and act LEAN in order to streamline process appropriately relative to all Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and Product Management functions

Travel:

Potential trips to customer locations, manufacturing sites, and trade shows (<5%), company travel policy permitting

Desired Background:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree with a preference in Marketing, Business Administration, Supply Chain or Finance

Experience:

• 3-5 years’ experience in a combination of product management, sales, or supply chain
• Prior work experience in a similar role: Business Analyst, Pricing Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, Product Specialist or Product Management role.
• Experience working in different business units a plus

Characteristics:

• Creative, critical and analytical thinking ability
• High business acumen with comprehensive business skills
• High energy and urgency level to maintain fast paced environment
• Passionate, competitive, tactical and aggressive in thinking and style
• Cross-functional Team player who can motivate, energize, and be persuasive
• Document and process management skills
• Ability to receive and react to feedback
• Displays leadership and the ability to manage people and projects
• Data driven decision making
• Proficient in conflict resolution and problem solving
• Capable of talent evaluation and development