ISG Career Opportunities

*This is an on-site role at our headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois.*

The ideal candidate will have success in developing and managing strategic relationships with manufacturers and suppliers to maximize product profitability and product availability. This position is also responsible for managing strategic supplier relationships and defining the appropriate brand strategy for the categories assigned. The position includes prospecting and evaluating new suppliers to ensure they will be a strategic addition to the Buying Groups supplier portfolio. This position owns and leads supplier relationships that have significant impact to business segment success and manages cross-functional project initiatives on behalf of department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supplier Management: Identify, assess, and manage suppliers, fostering strong partnerships to ensure a reliable supply chain.
  • Ownership of assigned product category performance and management of the overall health of the portfolio.
  • Negotiate best cost vendor programs to improve product positioning while improving margin.
  • Strategic engagement with supplier community to develop and implement initiatives that enable profitable growth.
  • Monitor the health of assigned categories and manage the product lifecycle.
• Market Analysis: Continuously monitor market trends, competitive landscapes, and industry developments to identify opportunities and risks within the category.
  • Develop category and market expertise that allows the organization to effectively compete in target market segments; this includes market trends and competitive analysis, as inputs to the development of our assortment strategy.
• Cost Management: Implement cost-effective measures, negotiate pricing, and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining or improving product/service quality.
  • Leverage market intelligence to validate and benchmark costs and competitive pricing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various departments, including marketing and sales to align category strategies with overall business objectives.
  • Manage multiple projects and initiatives within assigned categories with the ability to meet defined timelines and provide proactive status communication to business partners.
  • Establish category ownership with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Engages with customers and clients to understand strategies and objectives.
• Performance Metrics: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of category initiatives, regularly reporting on progress to senior management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3+ years’ experience in Category Management or relevant business experience is required
• Experience in the Janitorial/Sanitation and Breakroom category is highly preferred
• Proven expertise in negotiating and influencing stakeholders at all levels
• Knowledge of the distribution environment, supplier selection and qualification processes
• Product knowledge across multiple industries a definite plus
• Must be process-driven and analytical with a continuous improvement mindset
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently
• Ability to create excellent relationships and quickly gain credibility with internal and external stakeholders
• Possess strong planning, organizational and time management skills, as well as strong analytical problem-solving skills
• Multi-task with the ability to change direction quickly and often
• Strong business and financial acumen, and Microsoft Office skills 

Send your resume or questions to ISG Merchandising Jobs

*This is an on-site role at our headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois.*

Job Title: Supplier Marketing Specialist
Work Location: Rosemont, Illinois (on-site)
Type: Full-Time
 
About Us
Independent Suppliers Group (ISG) is the most progressive business products dealer group in the world, with over 720 members across the United States and Caribbean selling office supplies, school supplies, office furniture, machines and machine services, printing, computer/IT supplies, janitorial and break room supplies, and a wide variety of other products and services.
 
ISG members embody an entrepreneurial spirit and believe that a cooperative effort with other independents provides the best opportunities for growth and success. Members are locally owned and operated but utilize common merchandising and marketing to aggregate the collective strength of the organization.
 
About the Opportunity
The marketing team’s mission is to empower ISG members with strategic marketing, innovative tools, and strong supplier partnerships that drive success in a competitive marketplace. As a member-owned organization, we focus on collaboration, innovation, and delivering real value to our community of dealers and suppliers.
 
The Supplier Marketing Specialist plays a pivotal role in strengthening relationships between our cooperative and supplier partners. This position will focus on developing and managing supplier marketing programs, creating new engagement opportunities, and supporting initiatives that enhance how suppliers connect with our member network. The Supplier Marketing Specialist will report to the Director of Marketing and collaborate with other key roles and departments to ensure cohesive and effective marketing initiatives. The ideal candidate embodies an entrepreneurial approach and is passionate about supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
 
Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of our members’ businesses, including their unique challenges and growth opportunities.
• Act as the supplier marketing liaison, facilitating regular communication and collaborating on joint marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to execute and enhance existing marketing programs, including quarterly flyer and email program, member digital campaigns, and the supplier marketing portal.
• Develop new marketing initiatives that drive engagement and deliver value to both members and suppliers.
• Plan and execute supplier-related components of webinars, email campaigns, and social media activities.
• Track and report on the performance of supplier marketing programs, using data to inform recommendations and optimize future efforts.
• Prepare and create content for presentations, newsletters, websites, and other materials.
• Support marketing initiatives for our national accounts and technology businesses, the annual industry event, and other events/meetings as needed.
• Contribute new ideas and insights to elevate and evolve the marketing team’s efforts.
• Lead or assist with special projects and other duties as required.

 
Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4-6 years of experience in marketing, communications, or a similar role.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management abilities, with a knack for handling multiple initiatives at once.
• Data-driven mindset with proven experience analyzing diverse data sets and metrics
• Ability to thrive in a team environment and as an individual contributor.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Creative design experience is a plus.