Director of Sourced Home Appliance Products

Overview

Reporting to the Vice President of Product & Brand Marketing , the Director of Sourced Home Appliance Products is responsible for leading Sharp’s Home Appliance sourcing initiatives, managing the complete lifecycle product planning, procurement and pre-launch marketing of these products. They also will manage a third-party supplier representative relationship. This position includes responsibility for product line definition, competitive benchmarking and new product launch.

• Identify, develop and manage Home Appliance sourcing relationships world-wide with particular focus on Asia and Europe.
• Negotiate commercial terms and execute supplier contracts.
• As appropriate, employ strategic sourcing techniques to optimize procurement cost through formal competitive processes (e.g., RFP, RFQ, etc.).
• Coordinate with Sharp HQ the certification of sourcing suppliers to ensure Sharp quality standards for factory facilities and product are met.
• Working in close coordination with SSG, evaluate pre-production samples for cosmetic and performance issues. Work with suppliers to resolve.
• Take the lead in preparing / reviewing product user’s manuals.
• Monitor / measure supplier service levels and resolve any delivery issues.
• Work and communicate with suppliers to help reduce costs and add value.
• Manage third party supplier representative relationship.

• Define Sharp’s sourced home appliance product strategy through a deep understanding of emerging HA trends as well as strong knowledge of competitors’ strategic direction.

• Lead the sourcing manufacturer(s) in the development of a comprehensive product road map across multiple sub-categories that are consistent with Sharp’s goals and corporate initiatives. Define feature specifications, industrial design and user interface (both product and mobile application, if applicable).
• Develop products to address specific channels and sales potential that has not been otherwise identified.
• Manage product development schedule for timely product launches.
• Identify unique Sharp technologies and product strengths that can be utilized to drive new products that target satisfying unfulfilled consumer needs.
• Identify marketplace trends and analyze 3rd party forecast, sell-in and sell-through data. Incorporate findings into development of go-forward strategy.
• Conduct ongoing competitive analysis, identifying threats and opportunities. Communicate competitive analysis to the sales team and sourcing factories on a regular basis. Utilize competitive data as well as price trends to specify retail price and margin requirements for all products in a marketing plan.
• Own the out-of-box experience, recommending improvements.

• Set the overall marketing direction for sourced products through the development of a detailed category marketing plan (the 4 P’s of marketing: products, price points, promotions and placement strategy) with the goal of achieving sales and profit objectives and improving brand image.
• Provide input to the New Product Introduction (NPI) team including members of Product Marketing, Brand Marketing, Sales, Service and Operations (SSG).
• Be the product category evangelist in working with the sales team and visiting retail accounts to communicate product roadmap, perform new product demonstrations and secure placement. Gather market information to support product-planning process.
• Help define the category marketing objectives, including product messaging, which through all marketing efforts follow the guidelines of the brand promise.
• Prepare turnkey product presentations for sales organization and dealer meetings on an on-going basis. Prepare and issue regular product update communications to the Sales organization.
• Represent and present product line at dealer previews, line reviews, national meetings and trade events.
• Support internal and external product training needs as required.
• Prepare the initial OEM purchase plan and forecast in accordance with contractual terms.
• Present to senior management as appropriate to outline and update plans and strategies, answer questions and otherwise respond to their requests.

• Bachelor’s degree…