POSITION TITLE: Product Specialist

POSITION OBJECTIVE: Supports the assigned Product Manager(s) (PM) in shaping, executing, and growing the fiber product portfolio(s). Areas of focus will include product issue resolution, providing analytics to support product line initiatives, product performance, and actions to maximize profitability, and inventory management.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Single point of contact (SPOC) for internal product line pricing, order information, and documentation request:

• Collaborates with Applications Engineering and Quality to respond to Customer Cases.
• Supports Sales Activities Request resolution.
• Provides product information to customers and/or the sales team.
• Manages the customer sample request process.

Reviews product issues and collaborates with the PM to ensure they are resolved:

• Research customer return merchandise authorization (RMA) requests and report findings to the PM.
• Determines re-sale probability, restocking fees for non-technical returns, and recommendations for advanced replacements.
• Recommends product or process improvements where possible to prevent recurrence.

Reviews Inventory reports and make recommendations to PM to address slow-moving inventory and take actions to minimize inventory costs and obsolescence:

• Reviews daily product line Gross Margin (GM) performance reports to address pricing or costing issues.
• Collaborates with Operations on product availability and inventory requirements.
• Participates in product line forecasting with PM, providing data and insight as needed.

This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority to assign other tasks of a similar nature and/or level of responsibility.

COMPETENCIES:

Data Literacy-Using data to gain insights, solve problems, and inform decisions.

• Interprets data to draw simple conclusions, identifying common mistakes in understanding data.
• Conducts basic data analysis to answer simple questions or produce routine reports.
• Uses data to illustrate an observation, tell a story, or support an argument.
• Follows standard practices in producing and reporting metrics and statistics.
• Describes key criteria used in evaluating the quality of data and data sources.

Decision Making- Using critical thinking, good business sense and organizational values to make decisions involving varying levels of risk and ambiguity.

• Applies explicit guidelines and procedures in making decisions.
• Makes straightforward decisions based on adequate information.
• Deals with exceptions using clearly specified rules.
• Seek guidance as needed when the situation is unclear.
• Makes a decision with no risk where information is available and controls are in place.

Fostering Communication- Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.

• Recalls others' main points, taking them into account in own communication.
• Checks own understanding of others' communication (e.g., paraphrases, asks questions).
• Elicit comments or feedback on what has been said.
• Maintains continuous, open and consistent communication with others.

Organizational Savvy- Understanding the workings, structure, culture, as well as the distribution of power within and beyond the organization; utilizing this understanding to solve problems and achieve desired outcomes.

• Identifies the unwritten, informal structures, culture, rules, power dynamics, and decision-making processes.
• Build an informal network of relationships to facilitate progress towards objectives.
• Positions arguments based on understanding of informal communities of shared interest.
• Recognizes unspoken organizational constraints - what is and is not possible at certain times or at certain levels.
• Uses both formal and informal channels or networks for acquiring information, assistance and accomplishing work goals.

Thinking Strategically- Seeing and synthesizing different sides of an issue, examining the full range of options and outcomes, and building intellectual frameworks to guide analysis and action.

• Integrates and interprets multi-faceted information from varied sources on a range of complex issues.
• Recommends optimal approaches to address critical issues in the immediate and medium-term.
• Recognizes the need for a modified approach to data/ information gathering/ analysis.
• Articulates the impact of own work on aspects of organizational strategy and the impact of organizational strategy on own work.
• Identifies implications of own analysis (e.g., potential impact on certain stakeholders).
• Anticipate how others in own and other affected organizations will respond to and use the information/data generated.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Engineering, or other related discipline.

• Three years of related product support experience preferred.

• Developing analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Able to articulate complex concepts to a broad range of internal and external audiences.

• Proven ability to effectively communicate with several types and levels of staff and external contacts, both in writing and verbally.
• Manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work simultaneously on several, frequently changing priorities

• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite – Excel, Word, and Power Point. CRM experience preferred.
• Experience working in Modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software-Epicor preferred
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Travel 5% domestically with a possibility for international travel.

BENEFITS for full time:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits.
• 100% company paid Short-term and Long-term disability insurance coverage.
• 100% company paid Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage.
• 100% company paid Business Travel Accident (BTA) insurance.
• 100% company paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Additional voluntary benefits are offered.
• 401K plan: Maximum match is 4.5% of the first 6% of contribution.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
• Clearfield's Time Off Policy includes Personal Time Off (PTO) beginning at three weeks annually. PTO is accrued on the first of the month starting on day of hire. In addition, nine paid holidays per year.

HOURLY SALARY RANGE: 62,48978-78,111-93,733, Bonus Eligible

An Offer of employment will be extended at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. This information reflects the anticipated salary range for this position at the time of posting. The salary range may be modified in the future and actual compensation may vary from the posting based on various factors such as geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.