Category Manager

Rockler; Medina (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockler in Medina, MN seeks a Category Manager of Woodworking to lead category direction, manage lifecycle SKUs, and optimize pricing and promotions. The role partners with Rockler's NPD, Supply Chain, Product Marketing, and Ecomm teams to translate strategies into store displays and online merchandising while driving category performance.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in category management, strong negotiation and communication skills, and woodworking experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years' experience in category management and multi-channel merchandising.
• Proven leadership abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication and negotiating skills.
• Flexible team player able to lead cross-functional teams.
• Woodworking experience/background preferred.
• Proficient with MS Office.
• Limited travel to vendors and tradeshows required.
• Local Applicants only - Hybrid Role - 3 days in office per week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and as required otherwise and typically remote Thursday and Friday

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic direction for your business through thoughtful analysis of current business, market trends, and competition.
• Manage multiple product categories, large numbers of SKUs, and all aspects of the product life cycle.
• Develop merchandising concepts and promotional plans to drive category growth while optimizing assortments.
• Perform category/line reviews and presentations to optimize pricing, promotions, and merchandising placement.
• Monitor and report on key metrics and financial performance.
• Collaborate with vendors on new products, promotions, and favorable costs; negotiate terms.
• Coordinate with internal teams to execute category strategies on the website and in stores.
• Lead and develop assigned direct reports and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Maintain urgency and deliver results in a hybrid, in-office environment.

Skills

Leadership abilities

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Woodworking experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Category Manager of Woodworking - Medina

Summary of Position

Category Manager's function as business leaders driving their categories to achieve the strategic needs of the business. Additionally, Category Manager II's help to develop and lead their team to achieve results. They lead the development of strategic direction and are responsible for product innovation, assortment management from birth to phase-out, product costs, pricing, and inventory management. The key measures for Category Manager II's include sales vs. budget, gross margin dollars, and gross margin return on inventory.

major areas of accountability

• Develop strategic direction for your business through thoughtful analysis of current business, market trends, and competition.
• Manage multiple product categories, large numbers of SKUs, and all aspects of the product life cycle.
• Develop merchandising concepts, and promotional plans to strategically drive category growth while continually evaluating product assortments to ensure customer satisfaction while increasing market penetration and competitive advantage.
• Perform Category/line reviews and presentations to optimize product assortments, pricing, promotions, and merchandising placement across all business units to achieve targeted sales, gross margin (percent and dollar goals)
• Monitor and report on the performance of key metrics.
• Determine standard and promotional product pricing through competitive analysis, industry research, store visits and product pricing strategies.
• Collaborate with vendors to review new products, promotional opportunities, and assortments; ensure most favorable every day and promotional costs; obtain “special buys” to translate into marketing opportunities.
• Negotiate vendor terms & conditions, payment, shipping, co-op advertising and rebates.
• Manage vendor relations through regular, timely, and effective communication.
• Collaborate with internal teams to achieve results.
  • Rockler Proprietary New Product Development team: to assist with the creation of and execution of innovative Rockler products that support category objectives and opportunities.
  • Supply Chain specialist team: identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiencies through domestic and global sourcing initiatives; build strong vendor relationships; ensure coordinated communication and execution of plans to ensure inventory and logistics optimization.
  • Product Marketing teams: share category strategies while providing product and category expertise to support sales, and marketing, to bring those strategies to life and achieve financial results.
  • Ensure category strategies come to life on our website through effective partnership with the Ecomm team.
  • Retail store partners to develop and execute effective in-store displays, support classroom initiatives, provide training content, and support retail KPIs.
• Evaluate industry and competitive trends; define and act on new opportunities.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned.
• Lead and manage direct reports as assigned.
• We offer a flexible work environment with a strong bias to in-office collaboration and attendance.

requirements for position

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ years' experience in category management and multi-channel merchandising (internet, catalog, retail)
• Proven leadership abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication and negotiating skills.
• Flexible team player able to lead cross-functional teams

• Strong organizational, planning, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Maintains a sense of urgency while managing multiple tasks.
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively to drive results strategically.
• Woodworking experience/background preferred.
• Proficient with MS Office.
• Limited travel to vendors and tradeshows required.
• Local Applicants only - Hybrid Role - 3 days in office per week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and as required otherwise and typically remote Thursday and Friday