Directing the product management function is the core of this role, with accountability for building and managing a profitable and differentiated portfolio of BAS and HVAC-control products. The Director will establish the product management operating system across various aspects, ensuring the company offers the right products from the right suppliers at the right price, with reliable availability, accurate data, and clear customer value. This position suits a leader with strong product management credentials, ideally in the BAS/HVAC-controls or related technical-distribution industry.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of Kele's multi-year product and category strategy, including growth priorities, portfolio differentiation, market positioning, supplier strategy, and investment priorities
Establish category scorecards and hold Product Managers accountable for revenue, gross-margin dollars and rate, price realization, working-capital performance, inventory productivity, lifecycle actions, NPI results, and supplier performance
Lead a disciplined NPI and private-label stage-gate process from market need and concept validation through business case, sourcing, technical validation, commercialization, adoption, and post-launch review
Identify category gaps, customer needs, regulatory changes, competitive moves, and emerging BAS/HVAC technologies that create opportunities or risk for Kele
Direct portfolio lifecycle management, including assortment architecture, make/buy/partner decisions, SKU rationalization, product quality improvement, substitution planning, obsolescence, and exit decisions
Own strategic supplier segmentation and supplier-product alignment; develop executive relationships with key suppliers, private-label manufacturers, and technology partners
Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal to manage supplier contract and commercial-term governance, including cost, payment terms, rebates, returns, warranty/quality, exclusivity, co-marketing, data obligations, change notices, and supply-continuity expectations
Own product-pricing and margin governance, including pricing architecture, competitive benchmarking, margin guardrails, approval authority, exception management, and regular pricing reviews
Ensure pricing decisions are separated from system execution and supported by market and financial data
Partner with Supply Chain on demand and inventory strategy, supplier continuity, alternate-source plans, lead times, stocking policies, and excess/obsolete inventory while preserving clear ownership of purchasing and inventory execution within Supply Chain
Establish product-data governance, minimum data standards, data-quality measures, change-control requirements, and service levels so product data supports e-commerce, customer selection, operational execution, and scalable growth
Lead Product Management operating cadence, including weekly priorities, monthly category reviews, NPI/private-label stage gates, quarterly strategic supplier reviews, portfolio/pricing reviews, and annual strategy refresh
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
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1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Ensure Sales, Customer Care, Marketing, Technical Support, and Operations receive clear product positioning, value propositions, technical enablement, competitive tools, launch readiness, and product knowledge
Develop the Product Management team through clear role expectations, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, curiosity, customer focus, and data-driven decision making
Represent Product Management in enterprise planning and provide executive leadership with fact-based recommendations on portfolio investments, pricing, suppliers, product risks, and growth opportunities
Manage the departmental budget, priorities, staffing plan, and external resources as approved
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience considered
Minimum of five to seven years of experience leading a product or category management function, with demonstrated ownership of category strategy, supplier governance, pricing, and NPI process
Demonstrated experience leading and developing a small, hands-on team
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn and use company systems
Nice to have:
BAS/HVAC-controls or related technical-distribution industry experience is strongly preferred; candidates with strong product-management leadership credentials from an adjacent technical or industrial distribution industry, and a demonstrated ability to build BAS product fluency quickly, will also be considered
Working knowledge of Building Automation Systems products and applications, or demonstrated ability to acquire it quickly through the existing Product Management and Product Application Manager team
Strong strategic and financial acumen; ability to translate market, supplier, and category data into portfolio, pricing, and investment decisions
Skilled at supplier negotiation, cross-functional influence, and presenting business cases to executive leadership
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
Ability to prioritize work effectively and lead through structure and process in a fast-paced, small-team environment
Benefits
Medical, vision, and dental insurance
HSA
FSA (medical and dependent care)
401(k) with employer match up to 4% with immediate vesting
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life for employees and dependents available
Paid time off and paid holidays
Tuition reimbursement
Paid maternity leave
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, sit, and use hands for handling materials and keyboarding
Ability to lift and move products up to approximately 50 pounds with or without assistance
Vision abilities include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus
About the Company
Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation and efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals. With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes. Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.
