Sr Category Manager

Duties and Responsibilities

• Understand vertical market segments and demonstrate solid analytical skills to be able to mine data, understand the drivers of your business, and create category strategies
• Possess the ability to prospect, sell, and negotiate contracts with suppliers to achieve a fast launch to market with the highest level of success while managing within operational capabilities and profitability
• Deliver executive business reviews for strategic suppliers that define, among other things, supplier performance, product line expansion roadmaps, supplier capabilities, and/or challenges
• Understand the Zoro customer and connect products to customer needs, including understanding new product trends and technologies and differences among brands
• Effectively lead team members and coach team member(s) to contribute to talent development
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to gain buy-in and drive support for key category initiatives and growth levers
• Lead strategic and operational initiatives on behalf of the Category Management team to drive scalable results
• Own, manage, and proactively negotiate ongoing supplier cost updates to mitigate price increases and protect category profitability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or equivalent preferred
• 10+ years of proven experience in a related field
• Experience in distribution, online marketplaces, wholesale, e-commerce preferred
• Expertise in negotiating contracts and establishing new supplier relationships required
• Strong critical thinking and presentation skills
• Strong business and financial acumen
• People leadership experience preferred
• Proficient in computer applications, including presentation development, data analysis, information communication, and online research

Total Rewards

• Zoro’s total compensation plan includes our Zoro Incentive Plan (ZIP) that is designed to foster and reward our team members for strong performance.
• Total compensation will be highly competitive. In addition to competitive compensation, Zoro offers comprehensive benefits and perks including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents. We also support growing your family through access to adoption assistance program
• 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist and Wellhub portal membership to support your mental and emotional wellbeing
• At least 18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees and 6 company holidays per year
• 6% company contribution to a 401K Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
• Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and access to financial counseling, education, and tools
• Charitable Gift Program - match gift to an eligible educational, cultural, community health, and human service organizations
• Employee discounts and admission to various civic and cultural institutions around Chicago
• Zoro office perks including coffee bar, beer on tap, unlimited snacks, access to the onsite gym, and incredible city skyline views

Our Culture

• Zoro was founded in 2011 with a simple idea: make it easy for businesses to get the tools, parts, and supplies they need to keep things running.
• We've grown by staying curious, moving quickly, and solving everyday challenges in smart, practical ways.
• Backed by W.W. Grainger and inspired by our endless assortment business model, we’re on a clear path toward our next big milestone: $2 billion in revenue—and beyond.
• At Zoro, we don’t just follow a playbook—we help build it.
• You’ll get to work on real problems with a supportive team that shares ideas freely, learns from each other, and celebrates wins together.
• Our culture is grounded in values that guide how we show up every day: Winning & Learning Together, Being Customer Obsessed, Being Transparent, and Taking Ownership.
• We don’t have all the answers, but we’re always asking good questions.
• Zoro’s culture has been recognized by Fortune, Best Places to Work, and Built In Chicago—but the recognition we care about most comes from our team members, who make this place what it is.
• We also know that flexibility matters. Our hybrid work model gives you space to focus and the flexibility to live your life — asking team members to be onsite at least two days a week.
• Our Chicago HQ (right above Ogilvie Transportation Center in the Accenture Tower) is always open and ready for connection, collaboration, or just a good cup of coffee.
• At Zoro, we’re growing fast toward big aspirations — and we’re continuously excited about the new challenges we get to solve together.
• We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.
• We are also committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment.