Associate New Product Development - Wholesale

About CBC Group, Inc.

CBC Group, Inc. is a privately held wholesale distributor focused on serving retailers, churches, and specialty stores with meaningful, high-quality products. Our core business centers on distributing religious and inspirational goods, along with a broad assortment of gift and décor items, baby and party products, and household and spa items. Through a portfolio of established brands and growing e-commerce channels, we connect thoughtfully curated product lines with customers across the country. As a multi-entity organization, we combine the reach and infrastructure of a larger company with the collaborative, close-knit spirit of a team working together to support our partners and continue building something that lasts.

Summary:

This role is responsible for driving product development and sourcing initiatives, negotiating pricing, forecasting demand, and identifying emerging product trends. The position also supports quality resolution, ensures catalog copy accuracy, researches substitute products, and delivers timely reporting with clear, actionable analysis.

The ideal candidate will have prior buying experience with a catalog or retail company. They will also need to be detailed in all aspects of the position. This individual must have the ability to not only purchase product but also have an eye and taste to identify strong latest items and categories that appeal to our growing customer base. Experience buying inspirational and religious items, gifts or church supplies is a plus. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Being an incredibly detailed oriented person
• Being aware of our position in the marketplace, our customer base, and our competition. Some creative input as it relates to gift product lines.
• Compiling seasonal list of all new and current products to be listed in the catalog, updating whenever necessary for changes in selection, price, vendor information, and packaging.
• Developing specifications for new products, negotiating with vendors, and following the item through initial production.
• Meeting Key Performance Indicators as they pertain to gross margin, fill rate and discontinued merchandise.
• Help maintain vendor relationship status through proper communication.
• Prepare for product shows and markets relating to sample prep, schematic planning, show set up, displays, power points, training materials.
• Possible domestic travel to trade shows for set up & display.
• Writing, editing, and proofing copy for catalog and corresponding brand website.
• Providing input and direction for catalog page layouts, photography, and e-mail promotions. Reviewing sale and inventory levels to help facilitate clearance efforts.
• Preparation of catalog binder for weekly review. Preparing Concept reviews for approval Preparing Line Reviews for approval

Requirements:

• 3-years relevant work experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure, efficiency in working independently as well as team environment. Proofreading skills and efficiency in grammar
• Organizational and time management skills
• MS Word, MS Excel, and email software experience
• College degree preferred.

Education and/or Experience:

• 1 - 3 years’ experience
• Creative product development background Understanding of catalog marketing techniques Excellent oral and written communication skills Detail orientated: committed to getting it right.
• Efficiency in working independently and on cross functional teams. Proofreading skills and efficiency in grammar
• Multi-tasking many projects at a time Organizational skills
• Understanding of aesthetics/composition is a plus. Ability to work well under pressure.
• Experience in a fast-paced ever-changing environment Ability to problem solve.
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, and email software experience College degree preferred.

Work Location: In person