Position Overview
A category manager is hired in a retail setting to handle one or more categories of products, aiming to meet or exceed projected budgets for top-line sales.
Usually, a category manager is a direct link between stores and vendors which is why it is essential that he or she is well-organized and aware of the market in general.
Category managers are also responsible for managing revenue and overall profits and losses for assigned categories, so they need some exposure to P&L directives.
Position Requirements
Eligibility requirements to work as a category manager include a degree in business, with a major in sales.
If this is the position you intend to take up, it is necessary that you have some retail experience and possess the capacity to take initiative for making appropriate decisions.
Since you will be working with people from different departments (both internal and external) it is important for you to be able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
Other qualifications required to work as a category manager include experience in leading projects that span multiple functions, knowledge of utilizing syndicated data resources, ability to work independently, and capability of working on tight deadlines.
Job Description for Category Manager Resume
- Develop merchandising, advertising, promotional, and sales plans and programs for assigned product categories.
- Create and maintain effective liaison with vendors and suppliers to ensure timely and accurate delivery of products.
- Manage category performance by establishing appropriate goals and building financial models to predict returns over investments.
- Provide insight into retail trends and develop correlating strategies to influence both internal and external decision-makers.
- Develop and implement segmented approaches to customer portfolios and lead space management discussions with customers.
- Create global sourcing strategies to deliver against business objectives for internal clients and ensure that sustainable relationships with suppliers and vendors are effectively maintained.
- Evaluate suppliers’ core competencies and competitive positioning within the industry and handle benchmarking analysis.
- Effectively manage the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities such as spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, and supplier consolidation.
- Work with business and finance leaders to identify savings and controllership improvements, focusing on the total cost of ownership.
- Develop merchandising display, advertising, distribution, and sales plans and programs for assigned product lines.
- Analyze data to determine industry and consumer trends and devise long-term development strategies for assigned product categories.
- Develop and implement exit strategies for unsuccessful products and product lines.