Description
The Commercialization Partner is a key part of our sales support team. This role drives new business account transitions, manages product development timelines / deliverables to ensure key milestones are met, and ensures accuracy of new item specs. This role leverages organizational tools, knowledge of products, applications, and techniques, and standard processes to effectively manage new items through the process of designing, estimating / pricing, routing, building specs, building tools and pre-production readiness / communication activities resulting in profitable, timely, and error-free new business launches. This role is responsible for driving margin / process improvement initiatives through an account review process.
This full-time position will report to the Manager, Pricing and will sit at our facility located in Rock Island, IL.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead sales representatives and customer partners through definition and completion of project requirements and objectives (e.g. new customer onboarding, new product development, cost savings initiatives, existing product revision, etc.); develop project plans, timelines, and deliverables to ensure smooth project execution.
- Manage Workflow process by initiating new items, building specs, proofing, estimating costs, calculating pricing, and ordering tooling and other production supplies.
- Leverage systems and standard work procedures to generate build specifications for new corrugated products, considering customer requirements, technical feasibility, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Utilize product knowledge, manufacturing processes, and established tools to prepare detailed cost estimates and pricing for projects based on established pricing strategies and customer requirements. Balance pricing and estimating responsibilities with internal margin improvement initiatives. Ensure alignment with pricing function for atypical situations.
- Collaborate with suppliers to obtain quotes and place orders for tooling and materials as needed.
- Serve as the main point of contact for customers through the new item lifecycle : establish quotes, provide regular updates on project status and timelines, and resolve issues that arise.
- Coordinate with Design on structural optimization and art / graphics integrity as needed.
- Engage with Production and Scheduling teams as needed during box structure design and routing to machines, ensuring maximum efficiency of equipment and minimal waste.
- Collaborate with sales and customer service teams to ensure excellent customer satisfaction (e.g. ensuring accounts and items are set up timely and accurately, achieve successful transitions, and alignment with customer agreements, etc.
- Own customer scorecard for assigned client groups. Ensure metrics (OTD, quality PPM, NCR, Credit spend, cost savings progress) are tracked and updated. Lead internal and external scorecard meetings to hold business accountable for delivery.
- Manage project flow and deliverables associated with cost savings commitments, ensure cost savings commitments remain on track and that all internal and external partners are included in status updates.
- Other duties, as assigned
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Associates’ degree and 3+ years’ comparable business experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience3+ years product development, commercialization, or customer-facing experiencePrior experience working on complex, collaborative projects involving internal and external stakeholdersStrong computer skills (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)Detail oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projectsPREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in business, management, marketing, or salesProject Management experiencePrevious pricing experienceManufacturing experienceProactive approach to work, takes initiative to deliver on customer experience and improve processesStrong time management skills, ability to deliver quality work on scheduleStrong written and verbal communication skillsCOMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The starting base salary range for this position is $72,379 - $90,474 per year. The compensation posted is the anticipated pay for the position at the time of the posting. We may pay above or below posted amount based on several factors, including, but not limited to education and / or certifications, skills, experience, or work location. Some positions may qualify for additional compensation in the form of bonuses.
At LDI, we are pleased to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package including health / dental / vision insurance options; paid time off; 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plus company matching and annual discretionary profit sharing; flexible spending and health savings account options; life and disability insurance; tuition assistance; wellness and mental health resources, and financial advising services. Eligibility in benefit programs is based on hours worked per week.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Regular sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day to accomplish tasksManual and finger dexterity used regularly with some repetitive finger motionsAbility to work in front of a computer screen for long periods of timeSpecific vision abilities include close and distance vision; able to identify colors, small letters, and numbers; hand / eye coordination, depth perception and able to adjust focusHearing and speakingOther conditions may include frequent reaching, stretching, pushing, pulling, pinching, grasping, and gripping.ABOUT OUR COMPANY
Comprised of multiple companies with headquarters in New Hope, Minnesota, Liberty Diversified International (LDI) is a privately held company employing more than 1,900 individuals across our manufacturing facilities, production facilities and core business operations in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, California, and Mexico. With deep roots in the corrugated box manufacturing industry, we operate in the core markets of paper, packaging, workplace products, corrugated plastics and building products.
Since 1918, our values – Caring, Innovation, Trust and Excellence – have guided our day-to-day activities. We believe that when our employees are aligned with these values, we create superior service and solutions for our customers. The LDI family of companies includes Liberty Packaging, Liberty Paper, Liberty Plastics (Custom Solutions and Quarrix Building Products) and Safco.
Liberty Diversified International is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.