Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

James BLACK

Category Manager
FLORIDA

Summary

Category manager with more than 35 years of sales, supply chain and production planning experience. Demonstrate leadership capabilities with direct and indirect employee groups. Employs tact, sound judgment and maintains professional demeanor in communication and relationships with others while striving to deliver best quality in daily work.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Category Manager

Matus, a Division of Brandcorp
04.2017 - Current
  • Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
  • Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
  • Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
  • Led cross-functional project teams in the launch of new product lines, resulting in successful category expansion efforts.
  • Developed and executed spend category to support business objectives.
  • Established strong rapport with suppliers, leading to favorable contract terms and better access to exclusive products or promotions.
  • Spearheaded new product introduction processes from ideation through commercialization, delivering innovative solutions that drove category growth.
  • Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
  • Fostered positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating collaboratively with customers.
  • Partnered with buyers to develop category-appropriate order frequency for spend under management.
  • Coordinated with store operations teams to ensure proper execution of merchandising plans at the store level, driving consistent brand presentation across all locations.
  • Enhanced supplier relationships through regular communication and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
  • Visited supplier offices and plants to investigate facilities and capacity to meet quality requirements, specifications and delivery dates.
  • Collaborated with sales teams to understand customer needs, tailoring category offerings to increase customer satisfaction.
  • Coordinated with marketing to develop campaigns that effectively targeted key demographics, boosting sales.
  • Conducted competitive analysis to inform pricing strategies, enhancing profitability.
  • Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and launching products to diversify offerings.

Salesperson

Snap-On Tools
09.2013 - 05.2017
  • Worked to build relationships with customers and built potential for additional sales.
  • Boosted sales by consistently engaging with customers and addressing their needs effectively.
  • Developed relationships with clients for increased loyalty and repeat business.
  • Exceeded monthly targets by diligently following up on leads and closing deals promptly.
  • Provided exceptional customer service, resulting in numerous positive reviews and referrals.
  • Expanded customer base through targeted prospecting and networking efforts.
  • Built relationships with customers and community to promote long term business growth.
  • Informed customers of promotions to increase sales productivity and volume.
  • Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
  • Monitored service after sale and implemented quick and effective problem resolutions.
  • Attended monthly sales meetings and quarterly sales trainings.
  • Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.

Operations Manager

JKM Industrial Supplies
04.1993 - 11.2012
  • Ensured timely delivery of products by closely monitoring vendor performance and addressing any issues promptly.
  • Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
  • Reduced procurement costs through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, and effective negotiations.
  • Provided training and guidance to junior team members on best practices in purchasing, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
  • Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders.
  • Participated in trade shows and conferences to stay informed of the latest industry developments and maintain a strong professional network.
  • Maintained a comprehensive database of supplier information, including contact details, capabilities, pricing structures, and lead times.
  • Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
  • Improved inventory management by conducting regular audits, analyzing usage patterns, and implementing demand forecasts.
  • Resolved procurement challenges, leveraging strong problem-solving skills and in-depth knowledge of supply market.
  • Managed and maintained purchase orders and invoices.
  • Collaborated with sales team to identify and fulfill customer needs.
  • Established relationships with vendors to secure competitive pricing and discounts.

Education

GED -

Randpark High School
Randburg, South Africa
04.2001 -

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Timeline

Category Manager

Matus, a Division of Brandcorp
04.2017 - Current

Salesperson

Snap-On Tools
09.2013 - 05.2017

GED -

Randpark High School
04.2001 -

Operations Manager

JKM Industrial Supplies
04.1993 - 11.2012

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
James BLACKCategory Manager