Sr. Category Manager

About the Role

Highly strategic and experienced Senior Category Manager leads the development and execution of innovative category strategies that align with our corporate vision and accelerate long-term business growth. This role demands deep expertise in category lifecycle planning, financial oversight, supplier negotiations, and cross-functional leadership. Requires strategic thinking and capabilities to turn complex market insights into actionable plans and mentor teams to deliver exceptional results.

Responsibilities

• Category Management
  • Defines the role of a category
  • Defines category strategy based on the role
  • Organizes and synthesizes industry, competitor, and consumer trends into workable category strategies
  • Defines future category needs and opportunities
  • Defines categories to be included in box-level strategy
  • Integrates and links the business plan with the category plan
  • Monitors and adjusts resources based on the category role
  • Manages complexity of multiple categories and varying sub-class roles to improve business performance
• Business Acumen – Financial Management
  • Plans and coordinates financial management and budgeting tasks
  • Provides input and assists in creating Advance Auto Parts strategic financial plan
  • Sets budgeting guidelines
  • Sets guidelines for risk tolerance in financial programs
  • Communicates targets and objectives to business units based on strategic plan
  • Addresses complex/extreme gaps related to budgeting and financial management
• Supplier Management/Negotiation
  • Determines supplier value targets and selects supplier audience for strategic sourcing discussions
  • Determines appropriate facts for negotiations
  • Synthesizes facts gathered from multiple sources to be used in negotiations
  • Executes supplier negotiations across product categories
  • Anticipates and rebuts supplier's points and counterpoints during negotiations
  • Assesses effort and time needed to obtain value target sourcing opportunities with each supplier
  • Applies BATNA principles during negotiations
  • Evaluates and utilizes supplier performance information/data for future negotiations and decision-making
  • Coaches employees in strategic sourcing processes and actions
• Strategic Thinking & Execution
  • Develops milestones that will help implement the vision
  • Creates thorough implementation plans that address possible hurdles and involves support throughout the organization
  • Translates corporate strategic vision into day-to-day operational goals
  • Articulates and reinforces Advance Auto Parts vision and goals to business team
  • Coaches employees to support vision and strategy through operational goals
• Communication
  • Establishes trust and rapport with senior executives having diverse views on an issue
  • Changes others' opinions and perspectives to gain commitment to action
  • Uses communication tools and techniques to shift focus in response to group dynamics
  • Creates environments conducive to productive communication
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Manages the formation of teams and ensures team can perform
  • Facilitates the designation of team roles, goals, and expectations
  • Removes barriers (resource or other outside constraints) to effective teamwork
  • Analyzes team process inefficiencies and recommends improvements
  • Assesses other team members’ capabilities and provides feedback for improvements
  • Creates team recognition structure and reward possibilities
  • Coaches employees on building teams and the business value driven by teams

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or strategic sourcing.
• Proven track record of managing complex category portfolios and leading strategic initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Advanced negotiation skills with experience managing top-tier supplier relationships.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and coaching abilities.
• Proficiency in category management tools, ERP systems, and data analytics platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA preferred).

Location & Schedule

This position is hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote), based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Benefits

We believe in supporting our Team Members and those they love through comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Learn more here.