Category Manager

Global Industrial Company; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Industrial Company seeks a senior Category Manager to own data-driven category strategies and drive growth across multiple product lines in a fast-paced distribution environment.

You will lead supplier negotiations, manage assortments and private brands, and collaborate with Marketing and Supply Chain to optimize pricing, profitability, and customer experience, while ensuring in-office attendance as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent in business, marketing, supply chain, or finance.
• MBA preferred for seniority and broader strategic scope.
• 5+ years in category management, merchandising, sourcing, procurement, or related commercial experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute data-driven category strategies aligned with company goals.
• Own category financial performance including sales, margin, and inventory productivity.
• Lead supplier negotiations, agreements, rebates, and exclusive offerings.
• Manage assortment, private brands, and data quality for a strong customer experience.
• Collaborate with marketing, digital merchandising, and supply chain to drive growth.

Skills

Category management

Merchandising

Sourcing

Procurement

Supplier management

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance

MBA preferred

Job description

Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) is a leading distributor of high-quality, industrial-strength equipment and supplies, serving organizations of all sizes across a wide range of industries. With more than 75 years of experience, customers rely on us for our broad portfolio of national and private brands, trusted service, and strong value proposition.

We help customers keep their operations running by delivering the right products when they need them—because We Can Supply That™.

Why Join Global Industrial

At Global Industrial, we’re One Team committed to delivering value and empowering our associates to grow. Our culture is built on:

• Meritocracy & Pay for Performance – Your impact drives your rewards
• High Say-Do Ratio – We follow through on our commitments
• Career Growth & Internal Mobility – We invest in your future
• Collaboration & Accountability – One team delivering real results

Make an impact. Be recognized. Grow your career with us.

Global Industrial — Delivering Value Starts Here

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Business Ownership

• Develop and execute data-driven category and subcategory strategies aligned with company objectives and long-term growth initiatives.
• Own category financial performance, including sales, gross margin, inventory productivity, and market share growth.
• Analyze customer trends, market dynamics, competitive positioning, and business performance to identify risks, opportunities, and growth initiatives.
• Establish category roadmaps, business plans, and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and measurable results.
• Lead annual planning processes, including revenue, margin, assortment, and supplier strategies.

Supplier Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Build and manage strategic supplier partnerships that support category objectives and enhance competitive advantage.
• Lead negotiations for supplier agreements, pricing programs, rebates, marketing funds, payment terms, freight initiatives, and exclusive offerings.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies, Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and supplier evaluation processes.
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards and key metrics, ensuring service, quality, and profitability standards are met.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to fill assortment gaps and support growth opportunities.

Assortment & Private Brand Management

• Optimize category assortment through lifecycle management, product rationalization, and new product introductions.
• Identify market opportunities and customer needs to expand category offerings and improve conversion.
• Develop and execute exclusive and private brand strategies to strengthen differentiation and improve profitability.
• Ensure product specifications, data quality, content, imagery, and merchandising attributes support an exceptional customer experience across all channels.

Pricing, Profitability & Analytics

• Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, profitability, and customer value.
• Conduct competitive analysis and monitor pricing trends, market indices, and industry conditions.
• Analyze spend, sales, margin, inventory, and supplier performance data to identify opportunities for revenue growth and cost savings.
• Recommend inventory and stocking programs that improve product availability, reduce lead times, and maximize working capital efficiency.
• Track and communicate category performance through regular business reviews and reporting.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Marketing and Digital Merchandising teams to develop promotional strategies, campaigns, and customer acquisition initiatives.
• Collaborate with Inventory Management and Supply Chain teams to improve forecasting accuracy, inventory productivity, and service levels.
• Support Sales teams with product expertise, customer insights, and competitive positioning.
• Drive continuous process improvement and system enhancements that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead or participate in special projects supporting departmental and enterprise-wide initiatives.

Team Development

• Serve as a mentor and subject matter expert for Product Managers and other team members.
• Support onboarding, training, and development initiatives to strengthen team capabilities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer focus.

Competencies and skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of category management, merchandising, sourcing, procurement, or related commercial experience.
• Experience managing industrial, MRO, facility maintenance, Office & School Supplies, Furniture, or adjacent product categories preferred.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, margin improvement, and supplier performance.

Note: This position requires regular in-office attendance as an essential function of the job.

EEO/AA Statement

Global Industrial provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.