Sr. Manager of Categories

About the role

Provide strategic leadership in attaining or exceeding corporate and strategic goals related to assigned categories. Define, develop, and implement—with key cross-functional stakeholders—the strategic business marketing plans required to ensure controllable category and cross-category contribution to the long-range plan. Utilize servant leadership principles to aid in partnership development and team building.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category plans that are aligned with and support corporate goals and strategies.
• Use consumer research to ensure that the “Voice of the Customer” is included in all plans.
• Ensure annual category planning process drives continuous improvement.
• Define the category role, strategies, tactics, and opportunities required to micro-market space and price, plan assortment and promotions, increase market share, contribute to category growth, and meet and anticipate current and future consumer demands.
• Ensure Category Planning Teams are aligned with category plans and assortment decisions.
• Lead project-planning cycle to ensure the completion of key category initiatives.
• Develop, monitor, and re-forecast financial plans and budgets that support the corporate financial plan.
• Develop the category’s target or hurdle rates for quantitative/qualitative measures of performance.
• Develop and nurture strategic vendor alliances to identify synergies, promote mutual growth, maximize resources, ensure consumer focus, and capitalize on market opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with logistics and suppliers to identify best supply chain management principles.
• Work with Associate Marketing Research Manager & Strategic Vendor Partners to conduct consumer research needed to meet category objectives.
• Conduct competitive market research required to maximize, monitor, evaluate, and benchmark the progress of the category business plans and financial performance.
• Work with the Space Planning Manager and the other Category Teams to optimize space allocations and category performance.
• Work with the Advertising Manager to maximize the impact of advertising funds and resources in promoting the categories.
• Develop and execute advertising/promotional programs designed to grow the categories and support corporate initiatives.
• Work with Finance to drive improvement of analytical tools that assist in category planning and execution (space, price, assortment, and promotion), direct product profitability analysis, cost management/process improvement, and budgeting/re-forecasting.
• Develop reports on category performance, issues, and opportunities.
• Provide overall direction and support for team and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence.
• Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.

Essential Functions

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Analyze information and effectively propose solutions.
• Highly developed consultative, facilitation, project management, and presentation skills.
• High degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Work independently.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, Master’s Degree a plus.
• Five+ years of category management experience.
• Experience with direct P&L responsibility.
• Purchasing experience.
• Experience managing work groups.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, advanced Excel skills.