Border States
Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee‑owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.
This position will be located in:
Fargo, ND
Application Deadline:
November 10, 2025.
Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.
Job Summary Provides focused core category leadership and direction, manages and executes effective category strategies, secures strategic vendor alignment to increase sales and grow profits. Works with all Category Directors to track, maintain, and provide guidance on opportunities to maximize all vendor programs. Negotiates terms and programs with vendors and reps. Identifies strategy development and ownership of major category trends and initiatives. Develops, communicates, and maintains strategic vendor alignment strategies and platforms. Develops category plans, vendor performance plans, share of wallet analysis, and supports business development with target categories.
Responsibilities Essential Functions
Develops assigned category strategy plan.
Ensures growth and profitability of category sales.
Create and maintain vendor programs within vendor program tracking software.
Develops vendor program reporting.
Communicates opportunities for program enhancements and growth to both Category Team, as well as Regional Leadership.
Communicates opportunities to maximize Reward programs to appropriate business units.
Ensures category health by understanding and monitoring profitability, reducing risk and streamlining alignments.
Develops vendor evaluations and approvals.
Develops vendor alignment grids for assigned categories to ensure profitability.
Develops vendor segmentation strategy.
Regularly meets with key vendors and jointly prepares strategies for the company on key assigned product lines in collaboration with all departments.
Negotiates and ensures renewal and collects vendor rebate payments for assigned vendors.
Negotiates terms and conditions for assigned vendor agreements.
Develops cost methodology for assigned vendors.
Develops category and subcategory plans for category reviews.
Addresses escalated issues related to price level, mis‑delivery, branch authorization and partner collaboration as it relates to our vendors relationship.
Leads collaboration between all departments in reviews and vendor performance planning.
Leads product line conversions and vendor consolidation processes.
Non-essential Functions
Participates in executive level vendor meetings and internal Border States Vendor Scorecard meetings.
Responsible for vendor product training.
Provides input for the development and execution of training initiatives to fit category strategies.
Supports and drives team and category KPI's.
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.
Qualifications
Four‑year degree in sales, category management, product management, industrial distribution, technical or business degree and 3 years equivalent in work experience required.
2+ years prior supervisory experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of electrical, utility, industrial or communication products and systems preferred.
Knowledge of the SAP materials management system and its reporting capabilities preferred.
Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and analytical skills.
Ability to effectively plan, organize and negotiate.
Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
Ability to perform all aspects of the job accurately and efficiently as possible while providing exceptional customer service.
Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:
Occasionally 0 - 33%
Frequently 34 - 66%
Continuously 67 - 100%
Lift from Waist:
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Lift from Floor:
10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Carried for Distance:
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:
Sitting
- Continuously
Standing
- Frequently
Walking
- Frequently
Bending/stooping
- Occasionally
Crawling
- Not at all
Climbing/Walking Stairs
- Frequently
Reaching
- Frequently
Crouching/squatting
- Occasionally
Kneeling
- Occasionally
Balancing
- Occasionally
Repetitive motion
- Continuously
Pivoting
- Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling
- Occasionally
Grasping
- Continuously
Fingering
- Continuously
Talking
- Continuously
Driving
- Occasionally
Desk work
- Continuously
Use of a computer
- Continuously
Use of a telephone
- Continuously
Hearing
- Continuously
Exposure
to adverse weather & temperature conditions - Occasionally
Travel
- Occasionally
Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Benefits
Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Disability Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Time
Personal Leave time and more!
Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
Equal Opportunity For All It's not just the law. It's something we've believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.
Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:
Criminal background check (required for all positions)
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
Drug testing
The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.
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This position will be located in:
Fargo, ND
Application Deadline:
November 10, 2025.
Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.
Job Summary Provides focused core category leadership and direction, manages and executes effective category strategies, secures strategic vendor alignment to increase sales and grow profits. Works with all Category Directors to track, maintain, and provide guidance on opportunities to maximize all vendor programs. Negotiates terms and programs with vendors and reps. Identifies strategy development and ownership of major category trends and initiatives. Develops, communicates, and maintains strategic vendor alignment strategies and platforms. Develops category plans, vendor performance plans, share of wallet analysis, and supports business development with target categories.
Responsibilities Essential Functions
Develops assigned category strategy plan.
Ensures growth and profitability of category sales.
Create and maintain vendor programs within vendor program tracking software.
Develops vendor program reporting.
Communicates opportunities for program enhancements and growth to both Category Team, as well as Regional Leadership.
Communicates opportunities to maximize Reward programs to appropriate business units.
Ensures category health by understanding and monitoring profitability, reducing risk and streamlining alignments.
Develops vendor evaluations and approvals.
Develops vendor alignment grids for assigned categories to ensure profitability.
Develops vendor segmentation strategy.
Regularly meets with key vendors and jointly prepares strategies for the company on key assigned product lines in collaboration with all departments.
Negotiates and ensures renewal and collects vendor rebate payments for assigned vendors.
Negotiates terms and conditions for assigned vendor agreements.
Develops cost methodology for assigned vendors.
Develops category and subcategory plans for category reviews.
Addresses escalated issues related to price level, mis‑delivery, branch authorization and partner collaboration as it relates to our vendors relationship.
Leads collaboration between all departments in reviews and vendor performance planning.
Leads product line conversions and vendor consolidation processes.
Non-essential Functions
Participates in executive level vendor meetings and internal Border States Vendor Scorecard meetings.
Responsible for vendor product training.
Provides input for the development and execution of training initiatives to fit category strategies.
Supports and drives team and category KPI's.
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.
Qualifications
Four‑year degree in sales, category management, product management, industrial distribution, technical or business degree and 3 years equivalent in work experience required.
2+ years prior supervisory experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of electrical, utility, industrial or communication products and systems preferred.
Knowledge of the SAP materials management system and its reporting capabilities preferred.
Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and analytical skills.
Ability to effectively plan, organize and negotiate.
Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
Ability to perform all aspects of the job accurately and efficiently as possible while providing exceptional customer service.
Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:
Occasionally 0 - 33%
Frequently 34 - 66%
Continuously 67 - 100%
Lift from Waist:
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Lift from Floor:
10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Carried for Distance:
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all
Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:
Sitting
- Continuously
Standing
- Frequently
Walking
- Frequently
Bending/stooping
- Occasionally
Crawling
- Not at all
Climbing/Walking Stairs
- Frequently
Reaching
- Frequently
Crouching/squatting
- Occasionally
Kneeling
- Occasionally
Balancing
- Occasionally
Repetitive motion
- Continuously
Pivoting
- Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling
- Occasionally
Grasping
- Continuously
Fingering
- Continuously
Talking
- Continuously
Driving
- Occasionally
Desk work
- Continuously
Use of a computer
- Continuously
Use of a telephone
- Continuously
Hearing
- Continuously
Exposure
to adverse weather & temperature conditions - Occasionally
Travel
- Occasionally
Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Benefits
Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Disability Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Time
Personal Leave time and more!
Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
Equal Opportunity For All It's not just the law. It's something we've believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.
Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings:
Criminal background check (required for all positions)
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
Drug testing
The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.
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