Job Description

Build your Career with BlueLinx as a Panels Product Manager!

Are you a building products professional with a passion for driving profitable growth, managing supplier relationships, and developing winning product strategies?

BlueLinx Chicago is seeking a Product Manager to lead the sales, inventory management, procurement, and profitability of our plywood and panel product categories. This highly visible role works closely with customers, suppliers, sales teams, branch leadership, corporate partners, and supply chain partners to deliver exceptional results and long-term business success.

As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for managing product performance, optimizing inventory investments, developing pricing strategies, and driving sales growth across assigned product lines. The ideal candidate combines strong business acumen, relationship-building skills, and analytical expertise to identify market opportunities, support customer success, and maximize profitability. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy collaborating across all areas of the business, we'd love to hear from you.

Why BlueLinx?

• 70,000 - 85,000 + Bonus
• Comprehensive Benefits:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and 8 Company Holidays
• Career Growth: Opportunity to develop and advance your career with a leading building products distributor.

What You’ll Do

• Build lasting relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to drive sales growth and long-term profitability.
• Manage the daily sales performance of assigned plywood and panel product lines, ensuring sales, margin, and inventory objectives are achieved.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to increase market share, revenue, and profitability within the plywood category.
• Identify and capitalize on new sales opportunities with existing and prospective customers through panels.
• Engage directly with customers to understand business needs, provide product recommendations, and deliver value-added solutions.
• Manage inventory levels, stock positioning, and replenishment strategies to maintain product availability while optimizing inventory turns and working capital.
• Forecast product demand and collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement teams to ensure appropriate inventory investments.
• Procure plywood products from supplier partners while maintaining strong vendor relationships and ensuring competitive market positioning.
• Analyze market trends, customer demand, competitive activity, and pricing conditions to make informed purchasing and pricing decisions.
• Optimize profitability, product mix, and inventory turnover for assigned products.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies and sales solutions that maximize revenue and margin performance.
• Promote existing products and identify opportunities to introduce new products and programs to customers.
• Monitor sales performance, gross margin, inventory investment, and profitability metrics, utilizing data to drive business decisions.
• Manage supplier relationships, including business reviews, forecasting, promotions, rebate programs, and growth initiatives.
• Provide sales and technical support while resolving customer service and product-related issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, management, operations, corporate partners, and supply chain teams to execute strategic business plans.

What We’re Looking For

• 4+ years of Panels experience; equivalent industry experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of plywood, panels, lumber, or related building products preferred.
• Proven ability to grow and maintain a large book of business while developing strong customer and supplier relationships.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
• Expertise in customer support, inventory management, and consultative sales.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with sales, operations, procurement, supply chain, and supplier partners.
• Experience managing product lines, procurement activities, inventory investments, pricing strategies, and profitability metrics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, inventory management tools, and sales reporting platforms.

Key Success Measures:

• Sales Growth
• Gross Margin Growth
• Inventory Turns
• Working Capital Management
• Supplier Partnership Development
• Customer Satisfaction
• Product Category Profitability
• Market Share Growth

Our Values: With every decision and action, we put people first, keep the future in mind, and work as a team toward shared progress:

• Customer Centric • Respect • Collaboration • Integrity • Grit

About Us

BlueLinx is one of America’s largest distributors of building products, with over 70,000 branded and private-label SKUs. Headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, we have over 2,000 associates and distribute our comprehensive range of structural and specialty products to approximately 15,000 national, regional, and local dealers, as well as specialty distributors, national home centers, industrial, and manufactured housing customers. The Chicago branch is one of the largest in the North Region at 650,000 sq ft, 60 acres with a rail spur.

The salary range provided is a good faith estimate based on the position requirements and market data. Actual compensation will depend on factors including experience, qualifications, skills, geographic location, and other job-related considerations. BlueLinx also offers a comprehensive benefits package including health care, dental, vision, life and disability insurance starting the first day of the month, 15 days of paid time off that start accruing your first day, and 8 paid holidays per year.z

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