Director Category Management

Position Mission: 

The Director, Category Management – Commercial role is responsible for driving sales and profitability growth across a group of product categories.  This position will lead a team of Category Managers ensuring an optimal mix of financial, operational, and customer outcomes with clearly defined KPIs.  This person will develop deep relationships with key suppliers and partner with them and the Category Managers to develop and deliver strong programs to our customers.  They will also build and foster strong, cross functional relationships with key internal stakeholders in order to synergize and execute category strategies. 

Position Performance Measures:

• Category Sales

• Category Gross Profit

• Trading Margin

• Gross Margin

• Inventory Turns

• GMROIC

• Digital Sales Growth

Responsibilities:  The following section contains the primary responsibilities for this position.  Job holder is responsible for performing any other duties as assigned by management.  List the significant activities that support that function, for instance manage the annual store audit process. Where possible use language that ties the job back to the company mission and vision.

• Leads and develops a team of Category and Associate Category Managers

• Develops strategies and business plans for respective categories, supported by executable initiatives and delivers results in line with short and long-term goals

• Creates, owns, and executes an integrated “Go to Market” plan in coordination with marketing and sales channel leaders

• Conducts business performance analysis, including revenue, volume, product margin, category gap analysis versus competition, and effective balance of sale (good, better, best)

• Drives insights into action through the deep analytics of the category, macro-trends, competitive landscape, pricing, promotion

• Leads and manages direct and cross-functional team members to execute effective product launches from conception to delivery.

• Identifies macro trends and emerging category opportunities

• Integrates products into a coherent portfolio and manages the portfolio like a “product” (business plan, positioning, buying process, market requirements and launch plan)

Experience, Education, and Abilities:

The ideal candidate must be a business partner with outstanding communication skills who exhibit an ability to build relationships across a complex and global organization.

• Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination required.

• BS/BA required in Business or technical field

• MBA or MS preferred

• 7+ Years Category leadership experience essential, ideally within a high-volume chain retail, manufacturing or distributor environment

• Demonstrated ability to build category strategies Study the markets we serve and the competitive landscape. Understand at deep level our products' differentiation as compared to needs, trends and competition.

• Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills, with executive presence and the ability to make critical decisions and influence others.

• Insatiable appetite to meet and exceed revenue, margin, and volume goals

• In-depth knowledge of products and brands

• In-depth understanding of the product development process

• Self-starter able to thrive in a start-up environment

• Comfortable managing multiple ideas, concepts, and project timelines

• Strong analytical skills – strong quantitative and financial analysis skills

• Ability to negotiate

• Firm grasp of marketing methods and processes to ensure growth

• A proven ability to develop and launch new products

• Superior verbal and written communication skills; superior presentation skills.

• Act as a change agent with an open and flexible approach, with strong skills to build credibility and partnerships

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