Category Manager [AQ-26033]

Aquent; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent has partnered with a world-renowned consumer brand to drive operational excellence and strategic success. You will orchestrate brand and product category initiatives, bridging vision and execution to empower cross-functional teams and optimize resources on a global scale.

This role focuses on budgeting, coordinating complex workflows, and delivering KPI-driven recommendations through data insights. You will lead launches, collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations, and refine

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in operations, finance, or project management.
• Expertise with Microsoft Excel for budgeting and data analysis.
• Strong process and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work across diverse teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage budgets for brand and category initiatives.
• Develop and implement brand strategies including identity, positioning, and messaging.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan product assortments using trends and insights.
• Lead product launch initiatives coordinating with marketing, sales, and operations.
• Conduct market research on consumer preferences and industry trends.
• Build relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating terms.
• Plan and execute promotional campaigns to drive awareness and sales.
• Monitor brand and product performance using KPIs and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Refine operational processes and establish new workflows to improve efficiency.
• Structure game plans and milestone meetings for workbacks and check-ins.

Skills

Budget management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

Aquent has partnered with a world-renowned, industry-leading consumer brand to find a talented professional who will drive operational excellence and strategic success. In this dynamic role, you will have the unique opportunity to directly shape how major brand initiatives and product categories come to life in the market. By bridging the gap between strategic vision and meticulous execution, your operational prowess and financial stewardship will empower cross-functional teams, optimize resources, and turn ambitious brand strategies into impactful realities on a global scale.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a strategic and operationally-minded professional to orchestrate the execution of brand and product category initiatives. You will play a pivotal role in managing critical budgets, streamlining complex workflows, and coordinating key project milestones. This is an exciting opportunity to drive efficiency, foster deep collaboration across diverse teams, and ensure that creative and business goals are met with precision. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, possess a keen eye for detail, and love turning complex plans into seamless execution, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively manage budgets for brand and category initiatives, ensuring effective resource allocation and tracking work-in-progress.
• Develop and implement comprehensive brand strategies, defining identity, positioning, and messaging to resonate with target audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan and optimize product assortments using market trends and consumer insights.
• Lead product launch initiatives, coordinating with marketing, sales, and operations to execute go-to-market strategies.
• Conduct market research to understand consumer preferences, industry trends, and competitive landscapes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating terms and collaborating on product offerings.
• Plan and execute promotional campaigns to drive brand awareness and product sales.
• Monitor and analyze brand and product category performance using KPIs to provide data-driven recommendations.
• Refine operational processes, establishing new workflows and meetings to enhance overall team efficiency.
• Structure game plans and milestone meetings, ensuring team readiness for workbacks and check-ins.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of directly relevant work experience in an operations, finance, or project management role (or equivalent combination of education and experience, such as a Master's + 4 years or Associate's + 6 years).
• Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Excel for budget management and data analysis.
• Strong process and operational skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Highly collaborative nature with a proven ability to work effectively across diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Stand-Out Qualifications

• Proven ability to design and uphold complex operational processes.
• Experience with creative production workflows.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Budget management experience within the consumer goods industry.

Client Description

Global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Our client focuses on innovation, performance, and marketing, partnering with top athletes and teams. The company emphasizes sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.