What does a Category Manager do?
Category managers work in the retail world where they find, market, and evaluate products and merchandise for companies. They review products, evaluate suppliers, and develop merchandising initiatives with vendors and suppliers. They work in various retail establishments, including clothing, or food, and examine the aspects of merchandising. This could include the evaluation of supplies or maintenance of levels of inventory
Category managers research current trends and a company’s selling philosophies to procure the best merchandise for the lowest cost; they also assist with the development of selling strategies, product marketing, and sales support. Category managers need fluency with marketing, sales, and supply chain management and must be equal parts creative and analytical when making decisions. Category managers need a minimum bachelor's degree in supply chain management, finance, or business administration; some employers favor an MBA.
- Identify and build strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Work with support teams to ensure accurate order information.
- Build market/retailer network to maintain trend and product awareness.
- Represent purchasing in new product development projects as an active team member.
- Regularly interact with managers, VPs and SVPs internally and externally.
- Support development of market insights from cross-client sourcing activity and collaborate with TS&E Practice advisors to develop content that enables knowledge sharing across the organization.
- Manage content processes, oversee/partner with COE or agency content production requirements.
- Develop and approve recommendations to change systems, policies, and procedures. ensure timely and accurate implementation.
- Manage category resources, ensuring organizational efficiency through appropriate motivation, training, and development of direct report(s).
- Strong participation in the budgeting, operating business plans, and monthly business reviews.
- Infuse market insights into the sourcing process on projects within categories of expertise.
- Engage with prospective clients during business development pursuits through support of contract assessments, client due diligence calls, and presenting the practice delivery approach and case studies.
- Understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their.
- Own product launches end-to-end new from sourcing, go-to-market strategy, execution to commercialization.
- Understand costs, cost planning and analysis to support cost reductions, cost negotiations, parts strategy and supplier strategy.
- Partner with account leadership and regional delivery leads to drive such cost reduction initiatives into the accounts.
- Identify key insights and translate into actionable recommendations.
- Develop plans and priorities for the team to ensure activities are focused on achieving department goals.
- Work collaboratively with SEE cross-functional team and selected suppliers on project implementation.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business, business administration, computer science or engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with R Language, RFP/RFI, and CPIM software and processes.
- Attention to detail and dedication to continuous improvement.
- Prior experience as a consultant.
- Demonstrated eloquence and critical thinking skills.
- Confident with decision making and project moderating.
- A leader with collaboration and problem solving.
- Demonstrated negotiation skills.
- Fluency with statistics and enterprise resource planning.
How much does a Category Manager make near United States?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$135,342
/ yrCategory Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Category Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Category Manager Insights
Wolfspeed“Our team is great and I do believe we're making an impact in society!”
Performance Food Group“Great for developing career in Foodservice industry and networking for career advancement opportunities in industry.”
Jaleel Holdings“Nice place to work and it is the best company i have ever worked for.”
Amazon“This is by far the worst leadership (the saudi + uae team) I met in my whole career.”
Amazon“Amazon is a great place to start your career as a fresher as well as experienced.”
Advantage Solutions“I have been fortunate to be on a great team but I know others who have not been as fortunate.”
Upscalio“Be sure to negotiate a good package because you wont have a work life balance.”
Whole Foods Market“It is good and above average”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Category Manager
When working as a Category Manager, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Excellent Communication, Negotiation, EXCEL Access, Microsoft Office Suite, and Powerpoint.
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The most common qualifications to become a Category Manager include a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.
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I was promoted a few months ago and was just informed that my annual performance review is canceled and no annual raise will be awarded since I received a promotion this year. Is this normal?