ReaderLink · 3 days ago
Product Manager, Adult
Oak Brook, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$55K/yr - $58K/yr
2+ years expReaderLink is a company focused on book distribution and category management, and they are seeking a Product Manager for their Adult category. This role involves managing book assortments, category performance, and collaborating with various teams to optimize category growth and align with retailer objectives.
BooksLogisticsMarketingSales
Responsibilities
Own assigned book categories, developing and executing category strategies that support overall business objectives and customer-specific goals
Conduct regular category and title-level reviews to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and recommend adjustments to assortments, pricing, and distribution
Develop category plans that incorporate market trends, seasonality, promotional calendars, and customer strategies
Participate in publisher product presentations and prepare summary reports and reference materials to support discussions with the publishers, guiding feedback and product development
Review and select titles for inclusion in category assortments, balancing editorial quality, commercial performance, and customer requirements
Create program specific title pools from available and relevant titles, leveraging Blue Yonder Space Planning and demand forecasting insights to analyze performance and determine the optimal titles for inclusion in retail programs
Manage lifecycle planning for titles, including new releases, reorders, markdowns, and exits
Partner with the Space Planning team to ensure the accuracy and integrity of planograms and seasonal or promotional sets within areas of responsibility, including correct in-store dates, product assortments, store lists, and prepack configurations
Collaborate with the Space Planning team to execute planogram updates and maintenance resulting from changes to in store dates, drop-ins, title deletions, inventory availability, customer requests, or other business needs requiring planogram adjustments
Support Sales teams by providing category insights, data-driven recommendations, and timely responses to customer requests
Customize assortments and category presentations to meet the unique needs of specific accounts
Collaborate closely with Shoppers Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, and Operations to ensure accurate execution of category plans
Align with Shoppers Marketing team on category-level initiatives and merchandising strategies
Participate in customer meetings, line reviews, and presentations as the category subject matter expert when required
Analyze sales, margin, inventory turns, and other key performance indicators at both the category and title level
Prepare and deliver clear recommendations based on data analysis, consumer trends, and retailer feedback
Monitor category performance against forecasts and adjust plans as needed to improve results
Monitor and analyze space productivity to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and deliver data-driven insights and recommendations to key stakeholders
Develop PowerPoint presentations highlighting business performance, trends, and upcoming events or new releases for publishing partners, internal sales meetings, and retail customers
Develop and execute sales plans to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual budget goals
Lead and manage the Grocery & Drug sales team
Create and implement retail strategies for Grocery & Drug accounts
Build strong relationships with key personnel within major accounts
Collaborate cross-functionally with: Marketing, Category Management, Business Analytics, Procurement, and Warehouse Operations to align account goals with ReaderLink’s strategic and operational objectives
Continuously assess, clarify, and validate account needs (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)
Track, measure, and report on account metrics against budgeted goals; adjust strategies as needed
Analyze operational metrics to forecast future results and optimize sales and marketing investments
Manage all internal and external sales and operational functions
Interface regularly with the Executive Team
Achieve all predetermined sales and margin goals
Attend and often lead internal meetings and account strategy sessions
Set developmental goals for team members
Conduct annual performance reviews
Prepare budgets and update sales forecasts
Manage P&L and expense accounts
Evaluate and implement process improvements
Provide strategic thought leadership and promotional recommendations
Act as a hands-on leader in a player/coach capacity, driving results and team development
Must be able to handle multiple tasks and work appropriate hours to keep projects on schedule
Help build and maintain long-term relationships with our customers and publishers
Self-manage, prioritize, multi-task, and work cross-functionally with other departments
Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Marketing or a related field is required
Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required
Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners
Ability to communicate complicated information to others
Must be proficient in basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Ability to do algebra, calculate figures and amounts, and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
A methodical and organized approach to problem-solving
The work performed is in an office environment
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels
Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment
Employee is occasionally exposed to vibration and dust
Preferred
Minimum (2) plus years of experience in product management preferred
Minimum (2) years of experience with Microsoft Power BI preferred
Previous buying or selling experience is preferred
Experience with Blue Yonder software (JDA), including Space Planning, is preferred
Advanced skills in the Microsoft Office suite are highly valued, specifically Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and V-lookup functions, are preferred
Working knowledge of Blue Yonder Space Planning is preferred
Benefits
Health Plans - Medical, Dental & Prescription
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health & Dependent Care
Disability, Life and Accident Insurance
Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays
401(k) with Company Match
Author Events
Publisher-sponsored Book Club
Company
ReaderLink
ReaderLink is a full-service distributor of hardcover, trade and paperback books to non-trade channel booksellers.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
ReaderLink has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (1)
2021 (2)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Dennis Abboud
President, CEO & Chairman
Recent News
2025-10-17
2025-10-09
Company data provided by crunchbase