Product Associate

M S International, Inc.; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

MSI, headquartered in Orange, CA, seeks a Product Associate to collaborate across Marketing, Product, and Sales to drive growth. You will manage product lifecycles, optimize inventory, and develop promotional tools with cross-functional teams, while coordinating production plans and sourcing with international suppliers.

Your role emphasizes pricing strategy, market research, and expansion of MSI's market presence through data-driven decisions and close collaboration with global partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a reputable university.
• 1+ year of experience in product management, supply chain, business strategy, or another quantitative field.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage the supply chain for multiple product lines, ensuring inventory availability across warehouse locations.
• Analyze and control inventory flow through demand planning, forecasting, reorder point management, purchase orders, pricing analysis, and receipt of goods.
• Oversee the complete product lifecycle including new product introductions, promotions, SKU rationalization, product discontinuation, and close-out activities.
• Collaborate with National Marketing, Product Management, and Sales teams to develop promotional materials and marketing tools.
• Develop pricing strategies for new products and conduct ongoing pricing reviews.
• Create and source new products with international suppliers using sales data, customer feedback, market trends, and competitive research.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Leadership

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Summary: The Product Associate will Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop promotional and marketing tools that drive sales. Responsible for product planning, forecasting, and analyzing the full product life cycle to support business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the supply chain for multiple product lines, ensuring inventory availability across all warehouse locations.
• Analyze and control inventory flow through demand planning, forecasting, reorder point management, purchase orders, pricing analysis, and receipt of goods.
• Oversee the complete product lifecycle, including new product introductions, promotions, SKU rationalization, product discontinuation, and close-out activities.
• Collaborate with National Marketing, Product Management, and Sales teams to develop promotional materials and marketing tools.
• Develop pricing strategies for new products and conduct ongoing pricing reviews.
• Create and source new products with international suppliers using sales data, customer feedback, market trends, and competitive research.
• Develop marketing strategies that support the sales organization and expand MSI's market share.
• Coordinate production plans with vendors to ensure timely product shipments.
• Conduct factory capacity analysis to evaluate the impact of new products on manufacturing operations.
• Partner with international suppliers on innovation initiatives, performance management, order placement, and inventory optimization.
• Identify and pursue international sourcing opportunities that align with category strategies and business objectives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to complete the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Manage supply chain for multiple product lines, ensuring availability across all warehouses.
• Analyze and control inventory flow, including demand planning, forecasting, setting reorder points, expediting, deferring, diverting, placing purchase orders, pricing analysis, and managing receipt of goods.
• Oversee product lifecycle: new product introduction, existing product promotion, SKU rationalization, discontinuation, and close-out.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with National Marketing, Product, and Sales teams to develop promotional and marketing tools.
• Develop pricing strategies for new products and conduct ongoing pricing reviews.
• Create new products with international suppliers using sales data, customer and sales feedback, trends, and market research.
• Develop marketing strategies to support the salesforce and grow MSI’s market share.
• Coordinate with vendors to create production plans that ensure timely product shipments.
• Conduct factory capacity analysis to assess the impact of new items on production processes.
• Partner with international suppliers on innovation, performance management, order placement, and inventory flow.
• Identify and pursue international sourcing opportunities aligned with category strategy and goals.
• Perform additional duties as required or requested.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Focus on innovation and continuous process improvement.

Experience Requirements

• One (1) or more years of experience in product management, supply chain, business strategy, finance, or another quantitative field required.
• Experience working with inventory planning, forecasting, sourcing, or product lifecycle management is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional business teams is highly desirable.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a reputable university required.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with product lifecycle management and inventory forecasting.
• Knowledge of supply chain operations and international sourcing.
• Pricing analysis and market research experience.
• Ability to interpret sales data and identify product opportunities.
• Experience working with global suppliers and production planning.
• Strong business acumen with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Additionally the candidate must meet the following Education and/or Experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university required.
• One (1) plus year of experience in product management, supply chain, business strategy, finance, or other quantitative field required.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills required.
• Ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines required.
• Excellent communication skills required.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills required.
• Excellent critical thinking and attention to detail required.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally required.
• Focus on innovation and process/product improvements required.
• Strong leadership skills required.

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use their hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with their hands and arms; and communicate verbally. The employee frequently walks, stands and occasionally sits.
• The employee must occasionally lift, pull and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.