Category Manager

Develop and implement short and long-term strategies for assigned product categories designed to meet customer demand, drive differentiation, and achieve key financial targets. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Develop, manage, and communicate annual business plans to include category specific roles, strategies, current situation analyses as well as overall marketing goals and objectives. 
    

2. Manage product assortments and planograms using sales data and space management principles. 
    

3. Work closely with Operations to ensure the effective execution of planograms and merchandising programs through store visits and available communication methods. 
    

4. Ensure timely introduction of new items to optimize sales and profits.   
    

5. Create exit strategies for products that do not meet expectations. 
    

6. Conduct and analyze competitive price surveys to identify price optimization opportunities and execute everyday retail pricing strategies that meet defined targets by category. 
    

7. Coordinate, implement and assess promotions, incentive programs and contests intended to drive the engagement of customers and store teams. 
    

8. Analyze data and insights to determine industry and consumer trends, and forecast new product and services demand. 
    

9. Project and measure category performance.  Communicate category performance with cross-department teams to align on opportunities for growth and improvement.   
    

10. Develop and maintain meaningful and sustainable vendor, supplier and manufacture relationships tailored to support all core business needs and growth strategies.  
     

11. Negotiate best cost of goods based on market intel, brand equity, and volume leverage to secure the best quality for the lowest cost. 
     

12. Manage database information with timeliness and accuracy. 
    
    

Education & Experience 

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2 years related experience or a minimum of 5 years of work experience in retail.
 

Skills and Qualifications 

• Able to determine pricing based on financial methodology  and develop annual business plans. 

• Effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing. 

• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills 

• Strong analytical skills 

• Ability to problem solve and use independent judgement 

• Outstanding time-management, organizational and multi-tasking skills 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office with adaptability for new technologies