Category Brand Director

In the late 1880s, Richmond, Virginia, was the center of drug wholesaling in the South. Only New Orleans matched the number of Richmond’s five established wholesalers.

This role is responsible for and executing (and assisting in the development) on the Category Management strategy for Owens & Minor. Directs all activities of the Category Management team including evaluating new products and suppliers; establishing pricing strategies; and developing and delivering progress reports to senior leadership. Directly accountable for growth (revenue) and profitability of a $2B plus group of categories by optimizing the profitability of all products.

* Uses clinical and business knowledge to seek out new category opportunities to increase profitability and/or grow revenue for a defined group of categories. * Leads Category Managers and Analysts in the execution of the Category Management strategy to ensure full team is contributing to the achievement of departmental and corporate goals. * Sets goals and budgets for team and supports senior leadership in overall department goals and budgets. * Serves as a subject matter expert/clinical advisor in negotiations with Suppliers partnering with the strategic sourcing organization and the product development organization. * Works with the sales and distribution organization to obtain their input on product quality, product line depth and breadth and overall satisfaction with the category line. * Develops and standardizes product launch process and works with the sourcing and product development organization to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process. * Evaluates new business opportunities in product and suppliers and is expected to launch a significant amount of new products each year (corresponding to category goals). * Conducts market and margin analysis to determine suggested pricing and margin targets for respective categories. * Administers/monitors approved accounting practices to ensure financial and operating reports accurately reflect the condition of the business and provide reliable information necessary to control operations. Ensures all practices and procedures comply with audit requirements and meet operational standards. **Supplemental Functions:** * Provides monthly status updates to management. * Performs additional duties as directed. **Equipment, Tools and Work Aids:** General office equipment to include PC.

**Strength Requirements:** * Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. **Type of Physical Requirements:** **Acuity, near** * Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. **Handling** * Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand. **Talking** * Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is important for those activities in which employees must impart oral information to clients or to the public, and in those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly. **Hearing** * Perceiving the nature of sounds. Hearing is important for those activities which require ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on running engines. **A. Education and Formal Training:** * Four year college or university degree in engineering, business, healthcare management or nursing - MBA preferred. Through knowledge of clinical medical/surgical products preferred. **B. Work Experience:** * At least 7 (seven) and up to and including 10 (ten) years business experience required. **C. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities** * Solid knowledge of healthcare industry, specifically the Medical-Surgical distribution business;extensive experience preferred * Ability to work independently and to lead others effectively in a group setting * Excellent verbal and written communication skills * Strong sales and negotiating skills * Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines * Ability to identify issues and leverage knowledge and experience to develop strategic solution to supplier partners * Experience with customer interface and influencing * Strong computer skills