Consumer Product Line Category Manager – retail merchandise purchasing experience

The Category Manager is responsible for setting the strategic direction for an assigned product line and is accountable for growing sales and increasing profitability in assigned categories. Develops business plans using financial analysis, in-depth product knowledge, and detailed study of the customers and trends in the market. Develops comprehensive knowledge of the supply chain and global sourcing abilities. Provides superior leadership to get the organization and vendor partners to work towards achieving those goals. Supervises and oversees the work of the Assistant Category Managers and ensures they are properly trained, evaluates their performance and sees to their development and career planning.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Category Manager participates in creating and is held accountable for yearly plans for:

1. Sales and market share
2. Gross margin dollars
3. Gross margin rate
4. GMROI
5. Accounts payable to inventory ratio

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES in order of importance to Company. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Interacts with Company field organization regarding: product assortment, current cost of goods, cost of goods reductions, negotiated vendor programs, promotional programs, category management analysis, category management plans, sales growth assistant Company and private label product expertise.

2. Negotiates with national brand suppliers for: costs of goods, terms, flow of goods, returns, rebates, promotional funding and past due invoices.

3. Meets with national brand suppliers for: data analysis, new item reviews, discontinuance of Company items, sales planning, creation of joint yearly plans (with select key partners) and quarterly review of those plans, creation of promotional plans, annual supplier performance, Company reviews, assortment reviews and the catalog reviews, presentation and changes.

4. Leads the category management for selected categories by: collecting input throughout year, developing initial timeline, sending SWOT, selecting category captain, forming category core team (CCT), using Standardized Business Questions to review category performance, learning customer trends, learning market trends, updating category strategies based on above, conducting check point meeting with senior management, developing category business plan (efficient assortment, efficient catalog layout, efficient replenishment, efficient pricing, efficient promotion, and efficient communication to sales organization) then create category financials, implement the business plan, and lastly monitor, measure and modify that plan.

5. Manages the private label: decide on the private label assortment, set the product specifications, negotiate with potential suppliers, travel overseas as needed, participate in the labeling and packaging decisions, interfacing with Company replenishment function for product procurement and hard substitutions, create catalog(s) and E-Way strategies for the brand, promote and market the brand, change and de-list items and develop exit strategies as needed.

6. Manages the catalog: merchandise the best products, both national brand and private label, gather market information, develop the marketing catalog strategy, perform annual supplier performance Company evaluation, review all products with supplier, analyze sales data, recommend catalog changes, revise catalog, inform CMIF of changes, generate ads for catalog and collect catalog income.

7. Leads the promotion: learn competitors? promotional programs, study past COMPANY promotions, work with vendors to create a promotional calendar, submit proposals ? items, costs & retails, targeted audience and estimated sales. Submit artwork, copy, sales estimates to appropriate support personnel and assure, with vendor support, that enough quantities are purchased. During event monitor sell-throughs; get more product if needed or create an exit strategy if sales are slow. After event; measure results, collect funding and make use of learnings to plan improvements for next similar event.

8. Participates in other COMPANY initiatives as assigned by VP of Merchandising. For example; global sourcing, mixing usage, mid-market catalog creation, small market web-site creation and vendor presentations.

1. Provides guidance to Assistant Category Manager on goals and objectives by providing clear, effective, timely and constructive feedback. Provides work direction, hires/fires, conducts performance Company evaluation and personal development of subordinates.

PRIMARY INTERACTIONS

Interfacing with COMPANY senior management, national brand vendors, private label and minority suppliers, wholesalers, sales and marketing staff, COMPANY markets, COMPANY pricing, E-Way, CMIF, and COMPANY replenishment and distribution.
COMPETENCIES

? Excellent knowledge of product manufacturing, product procurement and the supply chain
? Excellent knowledge of product category merchandise management
? Self-directed, good time manager, ability to prioritize and work simultaneously on many initiatives
? Excellent communication skills
? Strong negotiation skills
? Strong analytical skills
? Ability to use tact and skill in dealing with internal and external customers and vendors
? Skill in the use of a personal computer and various application programs

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor?s degree in business management or a related discipline. Minimum of five (5) years purchasing experience. Previous experience in a major retail environment preferred. Solid negotiating abilities with strong organizational and follow-through skills. Must possess a high degree of integrity and the ability to analyze a variety of problems. Requires mature judgment and initiative with good listening, communication and interpersonal skills.

Location: Denver, CO metro area

Interested candidates email your resume as an MS Word attachment to both tony@pri.jobs and steve@pri.jobs Put ?Category Manager? in the subject line. Include your daytime phone number and compensation requirements. Thank you.