Product Category Manager - Maywood, IL
2 days ago
Job description
Product Category Manager – Composites
Composites
• TFL
• Particleboard
• MDF
Full-time | Illinois/Wisconsin area
Why This Role Matters
At Aetna Building Solutions, relationships are everything. For nearly 90 years, we've built trust with fabricators, contractors, and specifiers across the Midwest by living out what we call the Aetna Wayz—collaboration, dependability, and a relentless focus on helping our customers succeed. With 135 employees and 5 strategically located warehouses, we are one of the region's leading distributors of surfaces, composites, plywood, hardwood, and hardware.
We're seeking a Product Category Manager – Composites to define and grow our composites product category (TFL, particleboard, MDF). This strategic role blends market insight, sales enablement, supplier management, and operational execution to expand category performance, build customer relationships, and drive business results across all branch territories.
If you're energized by strategic leadership, commercial impact, and collaborative execution, you belong here.
What You'll Do
Lead Category Strategy & Product Lifecycle
- Own the full composites product lifecycle — from launch through rationalization
- Define and implement category vision aligned with market trends and business goals
- Serve as the internal expert on composites for sales, purchasing, and operations
Drive Growth, Sales Enablement & Market Development
- Partner with the sales organization to meet/exceed revenue and margin targets
- Build strong customer and strategic account relationships across the Midwest
- Lead new product launches and joint selling initiatives
- Set quarterly and annual category performance goals
Cross-Sell and Bundle Solutions
- Drive cross-selling initiatives that complement composites with surfaces, adhesives, hardware, plywood, lumber, and fabrication services
- Collaborate with other product managers to elevate bundled solutions
- Provide product training and positioning support for the sales team
Supplier, Inventory & Pricing Management
- Partner with Purchasing for supplier performance, inventory optimization, and new vendor evaluation
- Ensure competitive pricing strategies and responsive quote turnaround
- Support accurate product setup, data management, and inventory planning
Cross-Functional Execution
- Work with Marketing to create compelling product promotions and communications
- Align with Operations for smooth product launches and logistics support
- Leverage CRM tools to track opportunities and customer engagement
What You Bring
- Strong business and financial insight: pricing, quoting, inventory, and category economics
- Technical understanding of composite wood products and their applications
- Sales-driven attitude with a passion for uncovering growth opportunities
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinker with strong execution and follow-through
- Analytical, data-informed decision-making ability
Experience & Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field
- 5+ years of product/category management experience — building materials or panel products preferred
- Experience in distribution or manufacturing environments highly desirable
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel)
Travel & Requirements
- Up to 50% travel across branch territories, MN, WI, IL, IN, and KY
- Office work balanced with field engagement
- Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. as needed
Why You'll Love Working at Aetna
At Aetna, you're joining a company that:
- Puts relationships first—with customers and with each other.
- Believes in stability with growth, offering a long-term home for your career.
- Fosters a culture of teamwork, trust, and accountability.
- Offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:
- Major Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
- 401(k) and Profit Sharing
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