Plumbing Product Category Manager

Wurth Baer Supply Company; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

401(k) matching program

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Referral program

Job summary

Wurth Baer Supply Company is looking for a Plumbing Product Category Manager in Lake Forest, IL. This critical role involves developing a plumbing product category by onboarding suppliers and managing product lifecycles for e-commerce.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years' experience in plumbing supply distribution and strong negotiation skills. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare and 401(k) matching.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in plumbing supply distribution.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience with plumbing manufacturers or distributors.

Responsibilities

• Identify, source, and negotiate with suppliers for plumbing products.
• Evaluate supplier performance to align with profitability targets.
• Manage the product lifecycle for e-commerce.

Skills

Plumbing supply distribution

Vendor negotiation

Market analysis

SAP

Product knowledge

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

E-commerce systems

Job description

Plumbing Product Category Manager

Company: Würth Baer Supply Company

Location: 100 Saunders Rd suite 310, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated Plumbing Product Category Manager to join our Lake Forest, IL branch. This position will play a critical role in developing and expanding a plumbing product category within the organization, identifying, evaluating, and onboarding suppliers and products that align with our company’s strategic sourcing objectives.

The ideal candidate will bring direct experience within plumbing supply distribution, along with strong vendor negotiation skills, product knowledge, and the ability to build relationships with manufacturers and suppliers within the plumbing industry.

Experience working with SAP is required.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT.

Compensation

$85,000 to $110,000+ based on experience.

Description of Duties

• Identify, source, and negotiate with suppliers for plumbing-related product lines, including fixtures, fittings, valves, connectors, and other plumbing supply categories.
• Identify and establish relationships with new plumbing manufacturers and suppliers to expand the company’s product assortment.
• Evaluate supplier performance and pricing to ensure alignment with company objectives and profitability targets.
• Manage the product lifecycle from sourcing through digital onboarding, ensuring all product content, descriptions, and pricing are accurate and optimized for our e-commerce platform.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Marketing, E-Commerce, and Sales teams to ensure successful product launches and category growth.
• Analyze market trends and competitor offerings within the plumbing supply distribution market to identify opportunities for assortment expansion and cost savings.
• Support the development of pricing strategies, rebate structures, and promotional initiatives for plumbing product categories.
• Maintain strong relationships with key plumbing vendors to ensure reliable supply, product availability, and responsiveness.
• Leverage SAP to manage product data, supplier records, and pricing structures efficiently.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience within plumbing supply distribution, plumbing products, or related trade supply categories.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with plumbing manufacturers, distributors, or supply vendors.
• Proficiency with SAP required; experience with other ERP and e-commerce systems is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of product content optimization for digital marketplaces preferred.
• Onsite role only – this position is not remote or hybrid.

Benefits

• Bundled consumer-driven Medical (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Dental (Aetna), and Vision (VSP) pricing. New hires receive full access to benefits the 1st of the month following date of hire.
• 401(k) with matching program starts immediately. Company will match half of the first 5% of annual compensation.
• 8 paid company holidays.
• Vacation: 2 weeks (0–5 years), 3 weeks (5–10 years), 4 weeks (10–15 years), 5 weeks (15+ years).
• Sick time that is not excessive or categorized under special medical leave will not come out of your vacation time – honor system for salaried employees.
• Referral program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Würth Baer Supply Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.