Director - Product Information Management

Primary Function:

This role will lead the collection, management and deployment of product information. These processes are critical to Zoro’s customer experience, customer acquisition and retention. This leader must ensure that the product assortment can expand at an extremely rapid pace while providing the key product information inputs to facilitate an awesome on-site customer shopping experience.

This position is responsible for developing the strategies for the processes, systems and staffing for product information. It will also drive the execution of the strategy and ensure that the tactical execution delivers on the strategic priorities developed for all elements of Zoro’s product information life cycle. Specific areas of impact include: product data structure planning (taxonomy, attributes, etc.), PIM system business ownership, data collection processes and product data governance. 

Cross-functional leadership and collaboration will be critical to this role’s success, as well as direct leadership of the Product Information Team. Working closely with Search Engine Marketing, Marketplace, Searchandising, Product Management and IT teams will be critical. Direct leadership responsibilities include oversight of a team consisting of an Operations Manager and 2 – 4 Content Analysts.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall product information for Zoro, including an evolving roadmap of short-term and long-term improvements.
• Develop and lead the operational processes needed to add SKUs at a rapid pace and expand Zoro’s assortment on a massive scale. 
• Define and oversee the data governance designs and standards for Zoro, including attribute normalization and minimum SKU publishing standards.
• Lead and execute the strategy to define the data collection and maintenance processes to ensure quality product information at massive scale
• Lead, define, and ensure appropriate capture, publishing and maintenance of taxonomy and product information library
• Build processes and systems to leverage multiple inbound sources of product information, merge into Zoro-defined data structures and maintain quality control.
• Primary business owner and vendor manager for PIM system solution provider
• Continuously test and measure potential improvements in product information to drive an ever improving customer experience and business results.
• Manage external consulting services, leveraged for data collection, manipulation and quality
• Mentor and coach team members to encourage the growth and development of each individual’s skills and professional experiences by cross-functional partnership experiences and process improvement projects.
• Exemplify Zoro’s core values of Transparency, Taking Ownership, Winning and Losing Together and Aspiring to be Customer Obsessed. 

Preferred Education & Experience:

• 10+ years’ experience in product information management, user interface design, information architecture, taxonomy discipline, and other related UX disciplines.
• BS/BA degree in business operations, engineering or library sciences is preferred
• Experience with e-commerce businesses
• Working knowledge of business strategies including customer requirements with B2B product selection and procurement, and the role of product information in those processes (knows the business)
• Proven ability to lead successful teams by driving large volumes of high quality work, coaching team members for maximum professional growth and inspiring maximum team member engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in driving results through a diverse set of business processes and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to embrace change, demonstrate agility in relation to change and persuade/lead others through the change to minimize team disruption. Ensure a continuously high performing team.
• Great verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner to multiple technical and non-technical audiences

Work Environment:

Domestic and possibly some international travel required approximately 10% of the time.

Impact:

Strategic leadership role for creating processes for operationalizing the rapid expansion of the product assortment while collecting, manipulating and deploying the company’s product information assets to all downstream sales and customer channels. Must maintain quality and standards for data while the assortment grows at a rapid pace.

Working Relationships:

External:

• Technology Suppliers: Develop relationships with senior leaders and technical specialists at PIM supplier.
• Service Providers: We will utilize any number of third party service providers in the collection and manipulation of product information and content. Must clearly define the needs for service providers and ensure quality and timely delivery of outsourced work to our standards and service level agreement.
• Must be able to work effectively with global resources

Internal:

• Zoro Executive Leadership
• Grainger Global Product Management Leaders
• Zoro.com Team
• Searchandising Team
• Customer Acquisition and Promotions Team
• Paid Search and Marketplace Team
• Legal
• Pricing
• Marketing
• Logistics Management

Zoro is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.