Director, Portfolio Management

Role Overview

• Define and execute portfolio strategies to drive sustainable growth, market share expansion, and competitive differentiation.
• Develop and execute multi‑year category strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, and risk.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of Portfolio Managers and Analysts.
• Build and manage preferred supplier programs, including negotiation of pricing, service levels, and contract terms.
• Provide strategic direction for portfolio expansion through new supplier and product introductions supplier partnerships, line extensions, and entry into new and adjacent markets.
• Lead end-to-end portfolio lifecycle governance, including supplier onboarding, product rationalization, lifecycle optimization, pricing strategy, mix management and portfolio health management.
• Establish and oversee financial and operational performance metrics, proactively identifying risks and opportunities to improve revenue, margin, inventory efficiency, and return on invested capital.
• Translate market intelligence, customer insights, and emerging technology trends into clear portfolio priorities and actionable investment decisions.
• Partner cross functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Regulatory, E-commerce and Supply Chain leaders to align portfolio strategy with enterprise objectives and execution plans.
• Build and strengthen strategic supplier relationships to enhance innovation, cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and long-term value creation.
• Lead portfolio profitability strategy across product groups, including margin improvement initiatives, cost structure optimization, and value based pricing approaches.
• Support client‑facing activities such as business reviews, proposals, and solution design.
• Collaborate and partner with VWR Brand portfolio team to ensure completeness and competitiveness of the line.
• Assess competitive and supplier innovation pipelines to anticipate customer needs and inform future portfolio direction.
• Direct supplier consolidation and portfolio optimization initiatives, ensuring disciplined change management and clear internal and external communication, and desired financial outcomes.
• Represent the portfolio with senior leadership through executive level presentations on market dynamics, competitive positioning, customer segmentation, and strategic recommendations.
• Maintain external market perspective through industry engagement, including participation in relevant trade shows and forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in business, or equivalent experience preferred
• A minimum of 8+ years of strategic marketing, product management, category management, sales or related experience required
• Financial skills – to assess sales, profits, inventory investment, payment terms, return on sales, return on capital employed and EBITDA to improve financial performance
• Communication skills – ability to communicate effectively with a diverse number of constituents including Senior Leadership, Suppliers, Internal Customers and External Customers
• Exceptional analytical skills – ability to interpret information pertaining on sales reports, quality reports, purchasing reports in order to assess trends and address specific areas for opportunities for improvement.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• wellness programs
• health savings and flexible spending accounts
• a 401(k) plan with company match
• an employee stock purchase program
• 11 paid holidays
• accrue 18 PTO days annually
• eligible for volunteer time off
• 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave