Joshua Otzel
Harrisburg,PA
Summary
To make a difference in the industry and job that I am responsible for. While building successful relationships in a career with opportunities for growth and advancement. I am very good at building relationships within and outside of organizations that benefit day-to-day business. I appreciate the differences of my colleagues to build an effective team, utilizing individual strength through good communication. I understand what the customer wants and work to bring existing and new products to market with relevant marketing strategies to make a product successful. I have developed many products and found ways to maximize profits by reducing costs to procure them. I find ways to sell existing products to increase sales by finding another angle to match parts for a larger return.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Category Manager
CJ Pony Parts
Harrisburg, PA
06.2012 - Current
- Management of operations, projects, and scheduled task completion.
- Project Design and management of special vehicle builds.
- Oversee and participate in adding new parts to our website to grow sales and fulfill customer demands.
- Focus on developing systematic methods for guiding all the processes involved in getting a new product to market.
- Design, create and market new products or services to benefit customers.
- Focus on customer wants and needs and show them why this will allow them to achieve their goals.
- Research New products. Obtain detailed information to better inform the customer of the application, function, use, and material of a product.
- Deal directly with vendors as a point of contact regarding New Products, Pricing, and Fitments.
- Determine how to best target the intended customer and explain the benefits.
- Consulted as a point of technical reference based on automotive knowledge and background.
- Be the expert to explain why this product how it works and what need/want does it fulfill.
- Manage product line expansion. What new opportunities are available in the market and what other products can be combined to sell the same parts in additional ways.
- Work with existing and new suppliers to plan product types, marketing strategies and pricing.
- Choose products based on popularity and customer needs.
- Work with other departments to create proper launch to customer.
- Manage various projects by assigning jobs throughout the department to complete specific goals.
- Manage internal aspects of larger projects to fulfill needs of the larger objective.
- Manage vehicle builds.
- Design – Set forth the primary objective by evaluating the starting point and establishing a final goal for the build.
- Layout a plan to reach the set goal.
- Part Acquisition – Gather parts to accomplish the design goal.
- Make sure that everything will work together.
- Re-evaluate throughout the process when customization is needed for the desired outcome.
- Build Management – Make sure that everyone involved has what they need to accomplish their individual tasks.
- Work with the build team to schedule when parts are needed to stay on schedule.
- Coordinate with marketing teams on product showcase throughout the build process.
- Inspect the final product to assure that all expectations are met.
- Setup New Accounts: Apply for credit and negotiate payment terms.
- Negotiate Pricing and cost to get our expected margins for a successful product line.
- Work with sales reps and build relationships to further grow business.
- Work with an existing vendor to participate in marketing buy partner programs to increase sales and to offset in house marketing costs.
- Work with Copywriters, Graphics, and Marketing to assure that they have all the information and tools necessary to accomplish their department goals.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure quality and compliance standards.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new category opportunities.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to align promotional strategies with product launches.
- Led cross-functional teams in category planning and execution processes.
- Conducted regular performance reviews of product categories and supplier performance.
- Facilitated training sessions for junior staff on category management best practices.
- Utilized inventory management systems to streamline procurement processes.
- Achieved profit growth opportunities by analyzing data and identifying selection gaps.
- Used forecasting methods to determine product demand.
- Devised long-term development strategies for product categories.
- Collaborated with sales teams to determine competitive pricing and promotional activities for each product category.
- Negotiated agreements with suppliers to manage inventory, quality and cost.
- Analyzed data to determine industry and consumer trends.
- Designed positioning plans for product categories to maximize visibility.
- Developed strategic plans for each major brand within the category including marketing programs, pricing strategies and product assortment plans.
- Reviewed customer feedback on existing products and services to inform decisions about future product development initiatives.
- Implemented processes that improved efficiency of operations while reducing costs associated with stocking and distribution of goods.
- Partnered with research and insights team to evaluate consumer trends in order to create innovative solutions that increased sales and profitability of the business.
- Collaborated with external partners to identify new products and services that would benefit customers.
- Identified gaps in the current range of products and services offered by the company and developed plans to fill them.
- Led cross-functional teams in developing new product launches, promotions and campaigns.
- Monitored competitor activity within the category to ensure our offering remained competitive.
- Collaborated with suppliers to determine strategies for improving sales and profit.
- Utilized strategic and forward-thinking business techniques to maximize turnover.
- Collaborated with other departments to coordinate strategic marketing activities.
- Conducted research to determine ideal markets for products and services.
Fabricator
Creative Rod and Kustoms
Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania
04.2006 - 06.2012
- Experienced in MIG, TIG and Gas welding, Body and Paintwork, I-CAR certified: 42 certifications; Perform various duties of panel restoration and replacement, body, and paint, and chassis work.
- Manage shop operations of receiving and inspecting parts, schedule completion of days’ work, and record the performed work from day to day.
- Supervisor: Mark Giambalvo 610-589-5604
- Fabricated custom metal components using various tools and welding techniques.
- Assembled and installed parts for specialized vehicles and equipment.
- Maintained equipment and work area to ensure safety standards compliance.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot fabrication challenges effectively.
- Used hand tools to position, align and secure product components.
- Measured and marked material for cutting or shaping using measuring tools.
- Installed fabricated items in accordance with drawings and specifications.
- Fabricated custom parts from raw materials using manual machining equipment.
- Cut materials such as steel plates, tubes, bars, angles, channels using hand tools and power saws.
- Maintained a safe work environment by adhering to safety policies and procedures.
- Fitted and aligned parts to fit properly on products.
- Interpreted blueprints to determine job requirements including dimensions and tolerances.
- Designed and utilized templates to measure and efficiently shape products.
- Performed grinding operations using grinders or buffers to smooth surfaces after welding.
- Performed layout, fitting, and welding of structural steel members to specified tolerances.
- Operated welding machines to fabricate and assemble metal components.
- Utilized plasma cutter when necessary to cut through thick pieces of metal quickly.
- Assembled components into subassemblies or complete units prior to installation.
- Used oxy-acetylene torches to cut, bend or straighten metal objects as required.
- Ensured proper maintenance was performed on all shop equipment used in order to maintain efficiency.
- Participated in product development sessions to learn new product specifications and brainstorm new work strategies.
Education
Degree - Business Administration
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
Chassis Fabrication - High-Performance Engines
WYOTECH
Business Administration -
Lebanon Valley College
Business Administration -
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Diploma -
Middletown Area High School
Skills
- B2B acquisitions and procurement
- Automotive
- Credit
- Focus
- Marketing
- Pricing
- Process engineering
- Project design
- Project management
- Vendor negotiation
- Market analysis
- Product development
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Process improvement
- Effective communication
- Supplier management
- Product marketing
- Category planning
- Supplier relationship management
- Promotional planning
- Consumer insights
- Supplier contracts
- Pricing strategies
- E-commerce management
- Category development
- Category growth
- Vendor relations
Timeline
Senior Category Manager
CJ Pony Parts
06.2012 - Current
Fabricator
Creative Rod and Kustoms
04.2006 - 06.2012
Degree - Business Administration
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
Chassis Fabrication - High-Performance Engines
WYOTECH
Business Administration -
Lebanon Valley College
Business Administration -
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Diploma -
Middletown Area High School