Category Manager

Overview

Lead end-to-end category strategy, analysis and vendor management to drive growth.

Key Responsibilities

• a/b testing
• bi analytics
• forecasting
• vendor scorecards
• kpi reporting
• category strategy

Tasks

You will own the full lifecycle of your category and act as the go-to expert across the organization. You'll collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, operations, finance, and external vendor partners to develop winning strategies that deliver exceptional customer value and business results. -Implement test-and-learn initiatives and A/B testing frameworks to validate hypotheses and optimize performance. -Leverage large datasets and BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, SQL, Excel) to uncover insights, drive decisions, and build models that inform category strategy. -Partner with data analysts and demand planners to improve forecasting accuracy and optimize inventory allocation. -Lead annual line reviews, cost negotiations, and joint business planning with vendors. -Work closely with marketing to develop category-level campaigns and digital merchandising strategies that drive traffic and conversion. -Communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization to ensure alignment and execution of category strategies. -Bring a fresh, customer-centric perspective to product curation, storytelling, and in-store/online presentation. -Manage vendor performance through scorecards, SLAs, and regular business reviews. -Build strong relationships with existing vendors while identifying and onboarding new suppliers to enhance the category assortment. -Use competitive analysis and trend forecasting to introduce innovative ideas that differentiate your category in the marketplace. -Regularly analyze and report on key KPIs (sales, margin, turns, GMROI, etc.), identify opportunities and risks, and adjust tactics accordingly. -Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to achieve sales, margin, and inventory productivity targets. -Develop compelling product assortments and merchandising strategies that reflect both data insights and creative vision. -Collaborate with supply chain and logistics teams to ensure efficient replenishment, minimize stockouts, and optimize fulfillment.

Requirements

• excel
• sql
• bi tools
• mba
• 5+ years
• category management

What You Bring

We are seeking a highly analytical, creative, and passionate Category Manager to lead one of our key product categories from soup to nuts—from strategy and assortment planning to pricing, promotion, and vendor management. The ideal candidate is a technical, data-driven professional with deep retail instincts and a track record of driving category growth in a fast-paced, omni-channel retail environment. -Proven ability to manage and grow a category P&L, with deep knowledge of retail math and financial KPIs. -Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of juggling multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. -Creative mindset with a passion for product and innovation—you see whitespace before others do. -Demonstrated success in working with cross-functional teams and external vendors to drive results. -Own end-to-end category performance, including assortment planning, pricing, promotions, forecasting, and vendor negotiations. -Strong technical and analytical skills, including advanced proficiency in Excel, and experience with BI/reporting tools and basic SQL. -5+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or retail buying, preferably in a fast-paced retail or e-commerce environment. -Bachelor’s degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Economics, or related field. MBA or equivalent a plus. -Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex data into actionable insights and persuasive narratives.

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About Iris Recruiting Solutions

-Offers executive search services, focusing on finding top-tier talent for specialized sectors. -With a strong history of connecting skilled professionals with leading companies, they offer tailored recruitment services. -Their expertise spans industries such as energy, infrastructure, industrial, and utilities, ensuring a broad range of placements. -Known for a client-centric approach, they work closely with businesses to understand their needs and deliver quality candidates. -Their consultants bring deep market knowledge, making them a trusted partner for both job seekers and employers. -A small yet agile team, capable of responding rapidly to client demands, often exceeding expectations.

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