Associate Category Manager – Chemicals

Careers and Highline Warren; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Careers and Highline Warren in Lisle, IL is seeking an Associate Category Manager to help develop and execute category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, market share, and operational performance.

You will analyze performance, market trends, customer needs, and vendor opportunities, and support vendor management, pricing, assortment planning, and new product launches while partnering with Sales, Sourcing, Marketing, Finance and other internal teams to ensure timely execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field.
• Experience in product management or category management preferred.
• Proficiency with databases and Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Analyze performance and market trends to inform category strategies.
• Support vendor management, pricing, and profitability analysis.
• Assist with assortment planning and new product launches.
• Coordinate with Sales, Sourcing, Marketing and Finance teams.

Skills

Data analysis

Category management

Vendor management

Communication

Project management

Excel

PowerPoint

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Qlik

ASage

Monday.com

Job description

Associate Category Manager

SUMMARY The Associate Category Manager supports the development and execution of category strategies designed to drive sales growth profitability market share and operational performance Working closely with the Category Manager this position analyzes business performance market trends competitive activity customer needs and vendor opportunities to identify actionable recommendations The Associate Category Manager will support vendor management pricing and profitability analysis assortment planning new product launches promotional programs customervendor presentations and cross functional initiatives This role will partner with Sales Sourcing Marketing Finance Supply Chain Demand Planning Product Data and other internal teams to ensure category initiatives are executed accurately and on schedule

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage new item setup activities
• Support new product development by assisting with packaging creation and partnering with Catalog and Marketing teams to add new part numbers to assortments
• Coordinate the collection of eCommerce digital assets and other vendor related requirements
• Research and support new vendors for products entering the market including opportunities identified by the Sales team
• Support vendor line reviews
• Manage vendor program activities
• Maintain the master vendor program matrix to provide visibility for Category Management and Finance
• Create vendor templates for new products and new part numbers brought to market
• Assist with vendor cost changes and template updates for new part numbers
• Update ERP vendor instructions including terms discounts prepaid minimums and related details
• Update ERP defective and return policies by vendor
• Assist with new vendor setup activities
• Maintain data warehouse information and related category management data
• Incorporate market analysis data to develop and maintain business plans for product categories
• Develop and maintain proficiency in business intelligence tools including Qlik ERP systems such as ASage and project management platforms such as Mondaycom
• Communicate product information updates to the Sales team through SharePoint
• Assist in responding to product related questions from the Sales team
• Engage cross functionally with Global Sourcing Marketing Sales and Inventory Planning
• Forecasting
• This job description reflects managements assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Although not essential to the position the individual may be asked to perform other duties as requested by management

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Champion innovative ideas that influence business direction and outcomes
• Learn and adapt quickly while anticipating and removing obstacles to drive impact
• Analyze raw data and translate insights into actionable category recommendations
• Maintain a professional image and positively represent the company
• Work independently while effectively managing time multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service skills
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication problem solving and presentation skills

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree13 years of experience in Product Management Category Management Buying or a related team environmentProficiency working with databases and Microsoft Office applications including Excel Word and PowerPointExperience working with enterprise resource planning systems