Syndication & Customer Enablement Lead

Your Opportunity as the Syndication & Customer Enablement Lead

The Syndication & Customer Enablement Lead serves as the point of contact for external customers as well as internal functional teams in matters associated with item setup, external synchronization, and content health.  The Syndication & Customer Enablement Lead must understand end-to-end product master data processes and flows to effectively recognize and resolve internal/external data issues.  This position requires an individual to be highly personable and professional as they will serve as the liaison between our key customers and various teams throughout the organization (i.e. Item Data Governance, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Quality Assurance, R&D and Content & Culture).  The Lead Analyst must be detail-oriented, analytical and possess strong project management skills to effectively analyze customer data inquiries, develop cross-organizational action plans to address customer needs and collaborate with internal teams to bring products to market per customer expectations.   

Location: Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)

Work Arrangements: Hybrid work arrangement ~30% in office presence  

In this role you will:

Syndication & Customer Item Set-Up: 

• Serve as single point of contact for internal and external partners regarding customer item setup and syndication processes 

• Is recognized as an expert in Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) methodologies and GS1 standards, including 1WorldSync data synchronization processes (including their IM Web Portal), and the GDSN end-to-end messaging process 

• Manage the delivery of product information for Retail and Foodservice customers through the Global Data Synchronization Network and associated data pools (Riversand, 1 World Sync, GS1 Data Hub) 

• Identify on-going data synchronization and/or internal data distribution issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement proactive measures to mitigate reoccurrence  

• Lead the onboarding of new customers.  This includes collaborating with internal and external customers to educate on item setup and data maintenance process 

• Work closely with Item Data Governance team members to ensure customer requirements are integrated into existing run model processes 

• Manage non-GDSN item setup and/or data maintenance processes in various customer item setup systems including but not limited to the Kroger Vendor Item Portal, Walmart Retail Link and Supplier Center and Target’s Partners Online (IMN) Solution 

Industry Scorecard & Audit Administration: 

• Interpret internal and/or external issues and recommends solutions/best practices 

• Evaluates monthly customer scorecards to identify trends, perform root cause analysis and develop actionable plans to address data gaps and discrepancies 

• Maintain the master audit file used for communicating statuses, tracking, and providing visibility to open items, issues, concerns that need addressed with our customers. 

• Display indirect leadership across other functional areas to ensure timely execution of action plans 

Strategic Initiatives & Industry Engagement: 

• Develop recommendations, lead requirements gathering, and test system functionality changes driven by GDSN/1WS changes. 

• Plan, execute and ensure timely completion of project work related to customer driven initiatives 

• Conduct testing and system validation to troubleshoot issues related to item master data management and systems. 

• Represent JMS as a subject matter expert in GS1 working groups including but not limited to Sunrise 2027, FSMA 204, and AAFCO label/ingredient nutrition panel. Develop implementation recommendations and educate internal resources on these initiatives. 

Canada Data Syndication Support Backup: 

• Serve as the primary backup for data synchronization needs 

• Demonstrate expertise in standards, processes and systems unique to the GS1 Canada landscape (i.e. ECCNET) 

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent work experience

• 4+ years in data management, customer service or related field

• Business understanding of the application of the global standards necessary to the management of globally supply and demand chains

• Strong problem solving and analytical skills

• Expert Excel user (V-Lookup, Pivot Table, Formulas)

• Understanding of and advocate for global and industry standards

• Ability to organize information and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines in time sensitive situations based on customer needs. 

• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint 

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to successfully interact with internal and external stakeholders 

• Ability to build strong relationships and maintain rapport with internal and external business partners 

• Ability to adapt easily to new systems and business processes 

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role (not required):

• Project management experience

• CPG experience

• Experience with PIM/Syndication tools such as Salsify, Riversand and 1WorldSync  

• Understanding of relational data bases and reporting tools, specifically Spotfire

• Exposure and understanding of Commercialization processes and systems (i.e. AIRE)

Learn more about working at Smucker:

• Our Total Rewards Benefits Program

• Our Thriving Together Philosophy Supporting All Impacted by Our Business 

• Our Continued Progress on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity 

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