Category Manager - Lawn & Garden

Bwi Companies, Inc.; Nash (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with match

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

FSA/HSA

Job summary

BWI Companies, Inc. is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead Lawn & Garden categories, driving growth and profitability across assortments and vendor partnerships. You will own category strategy, manage product lines, and collaborate with Sales and Purchasing to optimize pricing and promotions.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and strong negotiation, analytical, and Excel skills, with travel about 10% to engage vendors and customers. Competitive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and financial management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with cross-functional collaboration.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10%.

Responsibilities

• Own Category Strategy & Growth: develop and execute category plans focused on sales growth, margin improvement, and profitability.
• Manage product assortments from new items to discontinued products.
• Identify market trends, competitive activity, and opportunities to expand categories and add new product lines.
• Analyze category performance including sales, margins, inventory turns, and vendor profitability.
• Negotiate pricing, program terms, and promotional support with vendors.
• Coordinate vendor promotions, seasonal offerings, and sales events.
• Equip the sales team with product knowledge and market insights.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical

Financial management

Excel

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Supply Chain

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead the growth and profitability of our Lawn & Garden product categories. If you’re a category or purchasing professional who loves finding growth opportunities, negotiating great programs, and seeing your strategy show up in the results, we’d like to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

Own Category Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute category plans focused on sales growth, margin improvement, and profitability.
• Manage product assortments, from new items to discontinued products.
• Identify market trends, competitive activity, and opportunities to expand categories and add new product lines.
• Analyze category performance, including sales, margins, inventory turns, and vendor profitability.
• Serve as the primary contact for assigned vendors.
• Negotiate pricing, program terms, and promotional support.
• Evaluate vendor performance, product costs, lead times, and service levels.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies based on costs, competitors, and market conditions.
• Evaluate promotional programs, rebates, and vendor incentives to maximize profitability.
• Partner with Sales Management on category-specific sales initiatives.
• Coordinate vendor promotions, seasonal offerings, and sales events.
• Equip the sales team with product knowledge and market insights.
• Participate in customer visits, vendor meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

Manage Inventory & Product Performance

• Work with Purchasing to set stock levels and replenishment strategies.
• Minimize slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
• Coordinate new item setup, product information, and vendor program implementation.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and financial management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with ability to work across departments and manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in category management, purchasing, merchandising, or vendor management.
• Experience in Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Living, Pest Control, or related consumer products industries (strongly preferred).
• Experience in wholesale distribution or retail merchandising.

The Right Candidate Will

• Grow category sales and gross profit through smart strategy and strong execution.
• Negotiate confidently and build vendor programs that create real value.
• Use data to guide decisions on pricing, assortment, and inventory.
• Take ownership of results and look for ways to improve.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape a growing product line and make a visible impact on our Consumer Products business. Key benefits include 401(k) with generous company match, excellent health, dental & vision care plan options, flexible spending account and health savings account options, life & disability insurance, paid vacation, and 8 paid company holidays. Compensation for this position is $60,000–$80,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.