Job Filled Product Manager - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

Job Filled Product Manager

Job Description: 

From its headquarters in Salinas, Markon Cooperative, Inc. provides fresh produce purchasing, logistics, information and marketing services exclusively to its seven member distributors (Ben E. Keith Foods, Gordon Food Service, Gordon Food Service Canada, Maines Paper & Food Service, Nicholas & Company, Reinhart Foodservice, and Shamrock Foods Company) and their foodservice customers. A leader in food safety, quality control and innovation, Markon is also mindful of the produce industry's impact on people – from field workers to consumers. At Markon, we believe people matter, and we offer a culture that values team work, loyalty, and a commitment to excellence.

Seeking an experienced Product Manager with the ability to exercise a high level commodity expertise and negotiation and problem-solving ability within the assigned commodity team. This position continually strives to meet the needs and expectations of customers, and to provide them with a competitive edge. May be designated as a team leader* which entails guiding a commodity team’s goals and results. Responsibilities include, and are not limited to, the following:

Compensation/Salary: 
DOE
Requirements: 
  • Education and/or Experience - Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the needed knowledge and skills; typically, a minimum of three (3) years in a purchasing function with experience in agriculture highly desired
  • Customer Service – Ability to provide exceptional customer service, both internal and external
  • Computer Skills – Strong Word, database, Excel and general computer abilities, along with the ability to learn new software quickly
  • Communication Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to respond accurately and quickly
  • Judgment and Problem Solving – Ability to collect data, define and resolve problems with sound judgment
  • other - Ability to consistently demonstrate accuracy, thoroughness, d­ependability, initiative, flexibility, enthusiasm and team work in a fast paced environment

Physical Demands

  • Frequently: sit, reach with hands and arms; grasp with hands and fingers
  • Continuously: sit, use hands to type and key a computer and telephone, use distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, hear and speak

Travel

  • May occasionally travel locally and nationally
Responsibilities & Duties: 

Product Management

  • Acts as a source of knowledge within a purchasing Team; gathers market information and understands and communicates market conditions and variables
  • Creates timely, accurate price sheets
  • Creates competitive bids that work for customers
  • Processes order bookings, order changes and adjustments
  • Tracks customers product volume and addresses shortfalls

Negotiation

  • Acts as a resource for designated produce categories; determines market pricing levels and uses that information to offer value
  • Exhibits appropriate skills to negotiate prices, products, delivered sales, etc. and ensures adequate product supply to meet demand
  • Builds strong procurement vendor relationships through excellent service and category expertise
  • Chases availability and price deals; seeks out new products and grows designated categories through deals and promotions

Team Leadership

  • Accepts accountability for the team’s annual growth
  • Guides the work of the team’s members
  • Models and provides opportunities for individual and team growth, collaboration and success
  • Effectively guides the work of support staff to ensure the timely completion of tasks
Qualifications: 
  • College degree highly desirable