Regional Product Manager

GENERAL DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Responsible for decisions and management related to demand planning, volume allocation manifest and order processes, inventory controls, and operational efficiencies that drive profitability and contribute to NA customer service levels and cost reduction initiatives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS/DUTIES OF THE POSITION:

* Oversee demand planning for regional sales by analyzing, validating and adjusting pre-orders and associated manifests within Salesforce and D365 systems. Scrutinize changes in manifests for all vessels to ensure all vessel allocations are valid prior to offloading in a respective NA port.

* Manage and coordinate 3^rd party vessel manifests and allocations in Dole ports and 3^rd party ports when applicable. Analyze vessel space capacity to make decisions driving profitability and customer service levels.

* Make strategic decisions to manage created loads, mixed loads, bulk products and private label products. Guide decisions with sales, LATAM and NA port ops team to guarantee the availability of products and reduce operational costs.

* Lead daily reconciliation of inventory for ports and warehouse as needed or oversee and validate review by Product Distribution Analyst if applicable. Plan for strategic allocation or remaining "bulk" inventories to maximize sales revenues, compensate for over/short adjustments and guarantee fulfillment of D365 orders. Mitigate financial losses by ensuring accurate product levels, FIFO rotations and guiding internal teams (sales, IT, ports) to drive resolution when discrepancies are found.

* Manage credit approval flow and validations on claims generated by Dole internal credit team to monitor financial loss, accurate inventory and pricing as it pertains to customer claims on products. Question any inconsistencies in documentation or financial calculations.

* Conduct weekly, periodic and annual analysis exercises to forecast banana category demand based on historical data, market trends and sales feedback. Lead regional sales teams in monthly balance plan analysis that drives models used by LATAM for logistics and demand planning as well as vessel utilization. Question variances in anticipated forecasts to provide the most accurate forecasts.

* Ownership of pre-orders for early available needs to improve port efficiency while also driving reduction of pack types, managing packaging initiatives, marketing program implementation and adjusting for vessel space optimization or third-party space needs.

* Act as liaison between sales team and LATAM and NA terminals to lead facilitation of customer requests, customer service issues, order fulfillment and resolve operational inefficiencies as they occur. Analyze and communicate operational changes to sales.

* Leads or collaborates in, depending on scope, departmental projects seeking operational efficiencies, cost saving measures or customer service maximization. Projects at the request of VP, Ops Services or Lead Product Manager.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

* Adapting to change

* Autonomous decision making

* Consistently meeting deadlines

* High performance

* Composure

* Clear and concise communication

* Taking confident actions

* Analyzing information

* Leading internal working teams

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

* Computer proficient in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel) and email, D365 sales system and Salesforce.

* Bilingual in Spanish is a plus but not required.

* Availability to work a flexible schedule when necessary (nights, weekends, holidays).

* Ability to travel as needed for business meetings or training.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION:

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Logistics or related field

3 - 5 Experience in Sales, Distribution or Logistics

EEO STATEMENT: We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.