About Us

Accounting Assistant-A/P

Posted 05/03/2012

Reports to: Accounting Manager

About Traditional Medicinals®:
Traditional Medicinals (TM) is a growing, financially sound, 38 year old medicinal tea company based in Sebastopol, CA. We manufacture 55 varieties of tea in our Solar Powered Sebastopol facility. Traditional Medicinals® is the proud to be the number one medicinal, organic, and fair trade herbal tea company. TM’s products are distributed nationally through health and natural foods stores, all major grocery chains, mass market retailers, and drug stores. We are an independent, employee owned company (ESOP) with a planning horizon extending to the next generation. The concept of a triple bottom line, focusing on people, planet, & profits, is part of our Company’s mission and the basis for our success over the past 38 years.

The Company hired its first non-founder CEO in 2008, an executive with national consumer products experience. Under new leadership, the Company has developed a long term strategic plan to significantly increase its market share. Integral to accomplishing these goals is to transform the Company into the most efficient tea manufacturing operation in the U.S.The simple ritual of preparing a warm cup of our herbal tea connects you to the healing wisdom of generations. For years, we’ve made herbal teas for your well-being, relying on highest quality plants and flowers that are organic, fair trade or fair wild certified. Created on the foundation of extensive quality measures, including the use of pharmacopoeial-grade herbs, we create herbal tea blends based on the knowledge contained within the world’s systems of traditional herbal medicine. We are the makers of top selling medicinal teas, such as Smooth Move®, Mother's Milk®, Throat Coat® and Nighty Night®. Cultivated and collected with integrity. Crafted with intention. Cared for by real people.

The Opportunity for the Accounting Assistant:
TM is seeking an experienced individual with a minimum of three years Accounts Payable experience with the demonstrated skill set and experience to provide day-to-day processing of the Accounts Payable functions. We need a qualified accountant who can handle high volume of transactions for a growing company. Responsible for receiving incoming invoices, credit card statements and employee expense reports verifying all data and information is correct and has proper authorization for payment. Setting up invoices for payment in accordance with time lines and payment cycles. Applicant must be organized, detail-oriented and possess strong technical and interpersonal skills.

Compensation includes a competitive base salary and bonus and includes medical benefits, nine paid holidays, a 401K plan, and participation in the Company’s ESOP plan.

Responsibilities: 
Perform routine and non-routine support duties in the area of Accounts Payable. Ability to work with limited supervision. Provide training and help to other department staff as needed. Contribute to the effective management of company funds by ensuring all supplier accounts are correct, current and have appropriate terms. Perform research and resolve complex questions on supplier accounts. Verify appropriate general ledger coding for specific transactions affecting supplier and customer account balances. Perform specialized transaction posting to QAD software package. Post all returned merchandise authorization (RMA’s) inventory into QAD and corresponding credit to customer accounts. Process all Accounts Payable invoices and perform weekly check run. Communicate with all company authorized buyers of supplies, inventory, and services. Responsible for all material supplier voucher posting. Reconcile receiving and purchase order discrepancies when compared to supplier invoices. Work closely with Purchasing Department members and provide vendor analysis support to Purchasing. Reconcile employee expense reports, review coding and documentation for accuracy and completeness. Verify employee compliance with travel and expense reimbursement policy. Review and reconcile broker commission calculations. Maintain company vehicle documentation. Maintain vendor W-9 information. Prepare 1099 filing on an annual basis to the IRS. Process returned merchandise credits. Perform special projects as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare all vouchers and approved invoices for payment.
• Prepare credit card statements for cardholder review.
• Answer all vendor and employee inquiries regarding invoices, expenses, credit cards and check requests.
• Process weekly check run.
• Maintain files and documentation thoroughly and accurately, in accordance with company policy and accepted accounting practices.
• Process weekly vouchers for consignment inventory.
• Reconcile vendor statements, research and correct discrepancies.
• Process vendor applications for credit.
• Assist with month end and year end closings and prepare various account reconciliations. 
• Accounting clerical duties such as filing, scanning and preparation of various written correspondence.
• Process annual 1099 and 1096 filings.
• Prepare Accounts Payable files for year-end archive storage.
• Provide cross-functional support with other accounting functions including accounts receivable and invoicing, as needed.
• Maintain written procedure documentation for job related tasks.
• Responsible for such other duties and assignments which the Company deems appropriate.
• Some overtime may be required to meet month end and year end reporting deadlines.

• Associate Degree or Certificate in Accounting, Finance, or related and equivalent industry experience required. 
• Minimum of three years previous professional experience in accounts payable required.
• Understanding of basic accounting principles required.
• Ability to type 50-55 wpm.
• Experience with 1099 filings required.
• Excellent organization skills, attention to detail and ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Advanced level proficiency with MS Excel, Word and 10-key by touch required. 
• Self-starter requiring limited task supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills.
• Understanding of California Sales and Use Tax regulations highly regarded.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Knowledgeable with regard to payables in a wholesale environment highly regarded.
• Experience with accounting software, QAD or MS Access highly regarded.

Brand Manager / Senior Brand Manager

Posted 02/07/2012

Reports to: Vice President of Marketing

About Traditional Medicinals:
Traditional Medicinals (TM) is a growing, financially sound, 37 year old herbal medicinal tea company based in Sebastopol, CA. The Company manufactures 55 varieties of tea in its solar powered Sebastopol facility. Traditional Medicinals® is proud to be the number one medicinal, organic, and fair trade herbal tea company in the US. In 1974 TM pioneered the herbal medicinal tea category and over the years has grown to become the eighth largest bagged tea company in the US. Its products are distributed nationally across all channels from health and natural foods stores (Whole Foods), to all major national grocery chains, to mass market retailers (Target & Wal-Mart), and drug stores (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid). TM is an independent, employee owned (ESOP) mission driven company with a planning horizon extending beyond the next generation. The concept of a triple bottom line, focusing on people, planet, & profits, is part of the Company’s mission and the basis for its success over the past 37 years.


The Opportunity for the Brand Manager / Senior Brand Manager (BM/SBM):
Under the direction of the Vice President of Marketing, the BM/SBM will be responsible for developing and executing clearly-defined Marketing, Communications and Innovation strategies to drive growth and enhance equity for the Traditional Medicinals brand.

This position offers a meaningful opportunity to propel an environmentally and socially sustainable Company to a long term leadership position in the US tea market. Today TM is the leading medicinal, organic and fair trade tea company in the US and is poised for tremendous growth having the right products, distribution, financial stability and board of director’s support to dramatically transform the Company. The candidate selected for this position will play a key role in this transformation.


The Candidate:
TM is seeking a dynamic BM/SBM with a proven track record of consumer marketing results, an ability to drive teams in pursuit of a shared vision, and experience in developing and executing strategic marketing, communications and innovation plans. This is a high visibility position that affords the candidate the opportunity to provide work direction and coaching to 2-4 professionals. Finally, this is a collaborative role, requiring good working relationships with marketing peers and across functions. The successful candidate will be instrumental in helping to shape a world class marketing function.


Responsibilities:

• Marketing strategy, planning and execution
  • Partner with the senior management team and with the broader marketing and sales team to develop an integrated marketing plan that is executed with excellence to deliver sales, financial and brand targets
  • Utilize internal data, consumer research, and competitive intelligence to identify new opportunities in the market to improve sales of current products and to introduce new products
• Brand stewardship
  • Serve as a passionate steward, advocate and gatekeeper for the Traditional Medicinals brand and the equity it has built over time. Utilize research data, consumer insight, and an understanding of the external marketplace to identify opportunities to optimize and refine the brand’s positioning and architecture
• Marketing budget management
  • Lead the development of recommendations for the level of marketing investment
  • Make adjustments as required to ensure budget is well controlled
  • Evaluate marketing investment by program to better understand marketing ROI
• Communications
  • Work with internal colleagues (Shopper Marketing and Communications Manager) and external agency resources to develop the brand’s annual integrated communications strategies and to activate them across the media mix
• Insights and Innovation
  • Continually uncover and identify new marketplace and consumer trends to ensure Traditional Medicinals continues to lead in the category
  • Drive new product / packaging / promotion innovation through insight identification, business case development, and projectable in-market results
• Organizational development
  • Provide work direction and coaching to 2-4 professionals
  • Nurture a collaborative consumer-oriented culture cross-functionally within Traditional Medicinals

Functional Requirements:
 

• Strong strategic skills with experience in annual brand planning and budget management
• Very strong team player, ability to work with and influence cross-functional teams to achieve results
• Expertise in developing persuasive presentations leveraging data-driven insights and facts
• Analytical skills, with demonstrated experience utilizing and activating data: consumption data (Spins & Nielsen), shipment data, post promotion analyses
• Demonstrated strong project management skills
• Intellectually curious
• Passion for natural and organic products a plus

Education & Experience:
 

• BS/BA, MBA a plus
• At least 5 years experience in Marketing in the CPG space, ideally with some experience at the Brand Manager level
• Experience in leading teams and in deputy development
• Experience in new product development and commercialization
• Experience in working with internal resources and external agencies to develop winning communications plans and outstanding creative

Benefits:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered, including Employee Stock Ownership (member of the ESOP) making you one of the owners of the Company, full health benefits and relocation package (if applicable).

Traditional Medicinals offers a professional, mission driven work environment that promotes teamwork, creativity, and supports individual growth. If you are interested in applying for this position please send your cover letter and resume in an email to MC@tradmed.com and please put “Brand Manager” in the subject heading. We look forward to your submission!

Senior Master Scheduler

Posted 05/01/2012

Reports to: Procurement Manager

About Traditional Medicinals®:
Traditional Medicinals (TM) is a growing, financially sound, 38 year old medicinal tea company based in Sebastopol, CA. We manufacture 55 varieties of tea in our Solar Powered Sebastopol facility. Traditional Medicinals® is the proud to be the number one medicinal, organic, and fair trade herbal tea company. TM’s products are distributed nationally through health and natural foods stores, all major grocery chains, mass market retailers, and drug stores. We are an independent, employee owned company (ESOP) with a planning horizon extending to the next generation. The concept of a triple bottom line, focusing on people, planet, & profits, is part of our Company’s mission and the basis for our success over the past 38 years.

The Company hired its first non-founder CEO in 2008, an executive with national consumer products experience. Under new leadership, the Company has developed a long term strategic plan to significantly increase its market share. Integral to accomplishing these goals is to transform the Company into the most efficient tea manufacturing operation in the U.S.The simple ritual of preparing a warm cup of our herbal tea connects you to the healing wisdom of generations. For years, we’ve made herbal teas for your well-being, relying on highest quality plants and flowers that are organic, fair trade or fair wild certified. Created on the foundation of extensive quality measures, including the use of pharmacopoeial-grade herbs, we create herbal tea blends based on the knowledge contained within the world’s systems of traditional herbal medicine. We are the makers of top selling medicinal teas, such as Smooth Move®, Mother's Milk®, Throat Coat® and Nighty Night®. Cultivated and collected with integrity. Crafted with intention. Cared for by real people.

The Opportunity for the Senior Master Scheduler:
The Senior Master Scheduler is responsible for the development of a master production schedule for the U.S. and Canada by working with a customer-focused team in order to optimize customer satisfaction, finshed goods inventory, and supports the site revenue plan. He/she develops and maintains demand planning inputs to meet Customer demand, generate MPS / MRP processes and ensure the outputs are valid prior to release to the Producton Control and Purchasing Teams.

The Master Scheduler provides leadership to the Planning staff, including day to day guidance, employee performance reviews, and performance management and goal setting. He/she also monitors production capacity and provides input to the Plant Manager regarding needed adjustments to available capacity based on schedule (increases or decreases). The Senior Master Scheduler then applies those changes to rough-cut capacity planning.

Duties:

1. Review and approve all Customer demand prior to entry into the MRP system. Analyze and update demand changes in accordance to the Customer contract in a timely manner to eliminate past due demand and improve on-time delivery to our Customers.

2. Generate key information for financial/unit forecasting process; be able to rationalize as compared to the loaded sales orders.

3. Interpret Sales Forecast, actual sales, inventory targets and work center capacities to generate a Master Schedule which insures excellent levels of Customer service while minimizing inventory investment and utilizing resources in a cost effective manner.

4. Adjust the Master Schedule as needed according to actual sales and other inputs and communicate changes directly to the affected groups.

5. Lead the Planning staff - including daily guidance, performance reviews, performance management and goal setting.

6. Attend SIOPS (Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning) meetings and bring to the group’s attention any potential out-of-stock conditions or other issues affecting order fulfillment.

7. Schedule and conduct work order planning / shortage meetings as required. Actively lead, or participate in, appropriate team meetings.

8. Maintain QAD Work Center parameters such us holidays, maintenance, and production demand.

9. Coordinate with R&D and Marketing on changes to existing products as well as phase-in and phase-out of products.

10. Measure and document progress towards meeting objectives related to lean processes and programs.

11. Identify cost reduction opportunities and long-term improvement opportunities.

12. Propose plan for managing Kaizen events.

13. Provide needed oversight and training in the area of Lean Enterprise Philosophy, tools and techniques and continuous improvement practices.

14. Provide information, reports, and performs other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or other appropriate field, or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of master scheduling experience in a manufacturing environment.
• APICS certification (CPIM/CSCP) is preferred.
• Full understanding of MRP parameters and planning methods.
• Knowledgeable in LEAN manufacturing methodologies.
• Good communication, math and writing skills.
• Previous supervision responsibility a plus.
• Must be well organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in a changing environment.
• Able to analyze and reconcile material issues.
• Creative thinking and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Customer focused with service oriented attitude.
• Previous experience establishing KanBan and pull systems.
• Previous experience in cost and inventory reduction projects with demonstrated sustained results.
• Experience applying Lean principles.
• Intermediate to advanced-level Excel user.
• Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• QAD experience a plus.
• Experience in a regulated industry (nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, etc.) a plus.