Category Manager - Automotive

Theisen's Home Farm Auto; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K match

PTO

Holidays

Birthday-off with pay

Associate discount

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Disability insurance

Job summary

Theisen's Home Farm Auto seeks a Divisional Merchandise Manager for our Store Support Center to lead a key product category, analyze market trends, set pricing, and develop best-in-class assortments that drive profitability. You will create strategic plans, manage lifecycle activities, and coordinate with marketing, buying and operations to optimize performance.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, supplier negotiation, and data-driven decision-making to maximize sales and margins

Qualifications

• 3 years related experience preferred
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop effective category plans
• Market knowledge and understanding of consumer behavior
• Negotiation skills to manage supplier relationships
• Financial acumen and budgeting expertise

Responsibilities

• Market analysis: Conduct in-depth research on market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities for category growth.
• Create and execute category strategies including pricing, promotional plans, product assortment, and space allocation to maximize sales and profitability.
• Product management: Manage the product lifecycle within the category, including new product introductions and discontinuation, and create strategic planograms.
• Cultivate and maintain supplier relationships with negotiations on terms and performance to optimize category profitability.
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement category strategies and visit stores to identify opportunities.
• Data analysis: Track category performance, identify trends, and inform decision-making.

Job description

Supervisor: Divisional Merchandise Manager

Location: Store Support Center

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Job Description

Responsible for overseeing and optimizing the performance of a specific product category within the company by analyzing market trends, developing strategies, managing retail pricing, promoting and developing and implementing best-in-class assortments. Key duties include market research, competitor analysis, developing marketing initiatives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve category goals.

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Qualifications

• 3 years related experience preferred

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Key Responsibilities

• Market analysis:
• Conduct in-depth research on market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities for category growth.
• Create and execute category strategies including pricing, promotional plans, product assortment, and space allocation to maximize sales and profitability. Maintain a relationship with the stores to determine product opportunities.
• Product management:
• Manage the product lifecycle within the category, including new product introductions, product discontinuation, and product positioning. Create strategic planograms utilizing store volume groups based on sales and available space.
• Cultivate and maintain supplier relationships. Negotiate with suppliers on minimum order amount, cost, case packs, freight terms, product allocation, lead time, fill rate, payment terms, marketing funds, promotional terms, buybacks, return policies, product exclusivity, guaranteed sales etc. to optimize category profitability. Actively search for new suppliers to create a competitive supplier culture to enhance value proposition within category. Perform quarterly Category and Line Reviews to maximize assortment and program elements among suppliers.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, sales, store planning, operations and DC to implement category strategies. Visit stores, utilizing front line associates to identify opportunities within the category. Participate in Buyer Committee calls quarterly to listen to our associates regarding potential opportunities.
• Data analysis:
• Utilize systems to track category performance, identify trends, and inform decision-making.

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Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong analytical skills and data interpretation abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse teams
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop effective category plans
• Market knowledge and understanding of consumer behavior
• Negotiation skills to manage supplier relationships
• Financial acumen and budgeting expertise
• Proficiency in relevant software and data analysis tools

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Physical Demands

Frequent physical demands include sitting, standing, walking, dexterity, and light grasping. Occasional physical demands include lifting up to 25 lbs., bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs and firmly grasping. The employee is required to accept incoming calls and must be able to hear and speak. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision adequate for the incumbent to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. The associate must have the manual dexterity to manually operate and use a computer and other basic office equipment.

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Work Environment and Working Conditions

This position will be performed inside a climate-controlled office facility. The noise level is low to medium and typical of an office environment. Potential hazards include electrical hazards. Atmospheric conditions are typical of an office environment and may include exposure to odors and dust.

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Part-Time and Full-Time Eligible:

• Competitive match on 401K
• PTO
• Holidays
• Birthday-off with pay
• Associate discount and many other benefits

Full-Time Also Eligible:

• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Short-term and long-term disability

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Company Culture and Values

At Theisen's, our company culture is built on a foundation of respect, collaboration, and service to our communities. We believe in putting Customer First, working together as One Connected Team, and always finding ways to Give Back. These three pillars guide how we approach our work and interact with each other every day.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every associate is valued and encouraged to grow. At Theisen's, we strive to make a positive impact on our customers, our communities, and each other, creating a workplace where hard work, dedication, and innovation are celebrated.

Theisen’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.