Assistant Category Manager

THE TEAM MEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK FROM OUR RALEIGH, NC HQ FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

The Assistant Category Manager supports the development and execution of category strategies that drive business growth, optimize supplier relationships, and enhance customer satisfaction. This role requires a basic understanding of category lifecycle management, financial acumen, and collaboration. 

Key Responsibilities: Category Management 

• Describes strategic role of assigned category 

• Identifies differences in category roles 

• Recognizes how category strategy directs business decisions 

• Executes SKU-level decisions to support sub-class and role goals and plan 

• Identifies basic terms required in category planning (e.g., freight, payment terms, vendor data, deals) 

Business Acumen – Financial Management 

 Supplier Management/Negotiation 

• Communicates required information to suppliers 

• Describes how each member of the cross-functional team (i.e., merchant, inventory, planning, procurement) interacts with suppliers 

• Executes and tracks action items (to-do lists) related to sourcing 

• Assists in defining negotiation requirements to optimize performance at the SKU-level (i.e., cost, quality, time, and performance). 

Strategic Thinking & Execution 

• Executes detailed tasks needed to implement the vision within own group and role 

• Describes future Company and customer expectations of a given product category 

• Tracks and monitors current trends to assist in developing future trends and strategy 

• Reviews strategies and helps determine application within product category 

Communication 

• Discusses business issues and ideas to effectively perform role 

• Develop documents to support work efforts within own team 

• Assists in developing presentations for business groups audiences 

• Writes using appropriate language and terminology for audiences 

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Recognizes and accepts personal role within business team  

• Identifies relationship of own role to other roles on team  

• Displays respect for other team members and their roles  

• Accepts and incorporates positive and negative feedback regarding performance 

• Develops constructive working relationships with team members to achieve goals 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.  

• 4-7 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or procurement.  

• Intermediate analytical and financial modeling skills.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint)  

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