Category Manager

Category Manager:

Job Summary:

The Category Manager is responsible for driving sales performance, inventory optimization, merchandising excellence, and operational effectiveness within assigned product categories. This role works closely with store teams, vendors, and corporate buying teams to ensure strong product availability, attractive presentation, effective promotions, and achievement of sales goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned product categories to maximize sales, profitability, inventory levels, and overall category performance.
• Maintain strong brand presence and ensure merchandising standards are consistently followed across assigned locations.
• Analyze sales, inventory, and product performance data to make effective merchandise allocation and replenishment decisions.
• Monitor inventory levels and utilize replenishment systems to maintain appropriate stock based on sales trends and store requirements.
• Coordinate merchandise transfers between locations to ensure proper assortment and product availability.
• Ensure available warehouse inventory is appropriately allocated to stores based on available space and business requirements.
• Monitor store displays, visual merchandising, pricing, promotions, and promotional materials to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate inventory, merchandising, sales performance, and operational execution.
• Identify opportunities to improve product placement, floor space, displays, and promotional execution to increase customer engagement and sales.
• Review pricing and promotional activities and communicate required corrections or adjustments to the appropriate teams.
• Partner with vendors and coordinate vendor visits, product launches, activations, and training initiatives.
• Maintain regular communication with corporate buying and merchandising teams regarding inventory, product performance, customer demand, and category opportunities.
• Identify potential new products and communicate assortment recommendations based on customer demand, market trends, and sales opportunities.
• Ensure promotional materials and product-launch assets are delivered and implemented on schedule.
• Provide product knowledge and sales training to store associates through individual and group training sessions.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to facilitate product and category training.
• Develop and implement strategies to support monthly and annual sales objectives.
• Monitor category performance and recommend actions to improve sales, inventory turnover, and profitability.
• Motivate and support store teams in achieving category-specific sales goals.
• Prepare and communicate recommendations based on sales trends, inventory data, and market opportunities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in retail management, category management, merchandising, inventory management, or a related field.
• Experience in a high-volume retail, airport, travel retail, specialty retail, or multi-location environment is preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, merchandise allocation, replenishment, and category planning.
• Ability to analyze sales and inventory data and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, planning, and delegation skills.
• Strong customer and sales orientation with the ability to identify opportunities to increase revenue.
• Ability to build effective relationships with vendors, store teams, and corporate stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, inventory management systems, and other retail/business software.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and outside standard business hours based on business requirements.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Fluency in English required; additional language skills are a plus.

Key Competencies:

• Category & Merchandise Management
• Inventory Optimization
• Sales & Revenue Growth
• Data Analysis
• Visual Merchandising
• Vendor Management
• Team Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Communication & Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Customer Experience

Benefits:

• Day One Health Benefits
• 401(k) Plan Contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Parking Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Additional company benefits may apply based on location and employment status