Category Manager

Brooks Safety Solutions; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooks Safety Solutions is seeking a Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive revenue growth in a hybrid Charlotte, NC office. This role requires strong analytical skills, cross-functional collaboration, and proven negotiation capabilities.

You will analyze market trends, optimize assortment, and lead commercial negotiations to secure favorable terms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Procurement, or a related commercial role.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and commercial negotiations.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP and business intelligence tools is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the category strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Drive revenue growth through pricing, promotions, assortment optimization, and category planning.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, customer behavior, and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize product assortment and product mix to maximize customer satisfaction and business performance.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, including contract negotiations and performance management.
• Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and improved supplier collaboration.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Sales, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to execute category strategies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to improve category performance.
• Identify innovation opportunities and support new product introductions that strengthen market position.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial business acumen.
• Proven expertise in category management, merchandising, or commercial management.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Leadership, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Supplier relations

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field

Tools

Excel

ERP

BI tools

Job description

The Category Manager develops and executes strategies for assigned product categories to drive revenue growth, improve profitability, and enhance customer experience. This role owns the category strategy, supplier relationships, and overall commercial performance. The Category Manager will develop category strategies, analyze market trends, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the category meets business objectives. This is a full-time position, performing in a hybrid capacity in our Charlotte office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the category strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Drive revenue growth through pricing, promotions, assortment optimization, and category planning.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, customer behavior, and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize product assortment and product mix to maximize customer satisfaction and business performance.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, including contract negotiations and performance management.
• Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and improved supplier collaboration.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Sales, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to execute category strategies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to improve category performance.
• Identify innovation opportunities and support new product introductions that strengthen market position.
• Strong strategic thinking and commercial business acumen.
• Proven expertise in category management, merchandising, or commercial management.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Leadership, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Procurement, or a related commercial role.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and commercial negotiations.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP and business intelligence tools is an advantage.