Head of Category Management

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Develop and own the long-term category vision, ensuring alignment with company strategy and financial objectives
• Identify enterprise-level opportunities for growth, innovation, and competitive advantage
• Establish category frameworks, processes, and best practices for the organization
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing category management team
• Set performance expectations, provide coaching, and support career development
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and strategic thinking
• Enterprise-Level Category Management
• Oversee category strategies across multiple product areas, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment
• Approve major assortment decisions, vendor partnerships, and product launches
• Drive cross-category initiatives that improve customer experience and financial performance
• Vendor & Partner Strategy
• Lead strategic vendor negotiations, joint business planning, and long-term partnership development
• Build relationships with key suppliers, industry partners, and executive-level stakeholders
• Financial & Market Leadership
• Own category financial performance, including revenue, margin, and profitability targets
• Oversee category forecasting, financial modeling, and long-range planning
• Monitor market trends and competitive dynamics to inform strategic decisions
• Cross-Functional & Executive Influence
• Partner with senior leaders across Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to drive enterprise initiatives
• Present category strategies, business cases, and performance updates to executive leadership
• Influence organizational priorities through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 8+ years of experience in merchandising, category management, and product development
• 3+ years of experience leading remote teams of Category Managers and demonstrated success driving strategic, financial, and operational outcomes
• Advanced statistical analysis and data manipulation skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed recommendations, including experience in Microsoft Excel and retail systems
• Strong executive presence, including interpersonal communication, project management, and collaboration
• Exceptional critical, strategic, and creative thinking skills while working in an ever-changing environment
• Proven time management skills and ability to remain flexible in a high-growth environment while leading strategy, influencing stakeholders, and driving financial results
• Able to work well both independently and in a team setting