Director, Category Management (Tire Merchandising)

Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Sales, Marketing & Product Management

Position Summary

Leads tire merchandising business for 2,200 store automotive retail network. Responsible for driving product and category strategies focused on unit, revenue and margin growth through oversight of category management resources. Clearly communicates category strategy to senior leaders with intent of influencing and gaining agreement among key constituents. Develops strategic plans for category segments or large specialty categories to drive intended results. Builds and leverages relationships with internal supplier, external suppliers, marketing, operations, store teams and procurement. Work involves strategic-level planning to leverage financial profit drivers for long-range product category strategy.

Responsibilities

Tire merchandising ($1.6B category)

• Lead annual strategic planning to align team objectives with organizational KPIs for tire category
• Strategic ownership for assortment, pricing and promotion, supplier relationships, and growth programs.
• Oversee marketing and trade support plans for the tire category ($70M+ annually).
• Collaborate with finance during forecast and mid-term planning windows to provide accurate sales & GP projections.
• Actively manage new product introductions for Bridgestone and Firestone product lines into BSRO.
• Manage outsource partner tire relationships (in partnership with procurement); $150M annual purchases.
• Partner with pricing team to set margin enrichment targets and oversees tire zone pricing strategy.
• Partner with Procurement on sourcing strategy and RFPs
• Lead tire installation partnerships with key e-commerce tire retailers and develop strategies to optimize opportunities in growing e-comm channel
• Manage 3rd party vendor and agency relationships including contract negotiations, dispute resolution and business needs
• Optimize tire spiff spend of $8M annually to drive a rich sell-out mix
• Guide decisions on other tire related topics including but not limited to tire training, in-store sales material, standard operating procedures and store communications
• Sit as a participant and advisor on the BSRO Executive Leadership Team meetings as assigned.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor’s degree

10 years of prior relevant experience in Category Management with P&L responsibility

Experience leading teams and managers of individual contributors

Ability to influence actions across a broad cross-functional team without direct authority

Preferred:

MBA Preferred

Automotive and/or retail environment experience

Category Management Association Certification

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.