Category Manager | Marketing

The TJX Companies, Inc.; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Associate discount

401(k) match

Medical/dental/vision

Job summary

The TJX Companies, Inc. in Marlborough, MA seeks a Category Manager to drive global sourcing in marketing categories. You will partner with multiple business units, lead complex sourcing events, and negotiate strategies that align with TJX’s off-price model.

You will support regional and global category management initiatives and build strong relationships with senior leaders while delivering cost savings and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or post-secondary education in supply chain management, business, marketing or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing, procurement or related experience.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing in marketing-related spend categories and platforms.
• Experience with marketing agencies, media, and loyalty programs is a plus.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Category Managers in complex regional and global sourcing events.
• Develop regional and global sourcing strategies across marketing spend categories.
• Lead strategy development for assigned events and negotiate terms.
• Collaborate with partners to drive value and ensure high service standards.
• Participate in contracts, approvals, and compliance processes.
• Monitor savings, performance metrics, and supplier relationships.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor negotiations

Cross-functional collaboration

Spend analysis

Marketing category knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor degree in Supply Chain Management or related

MBA or Master’s preferred

Tools

Procurement systems

Microsoft Excel

RFP process

Job description

TJX Companies

At TJX Companies, every day brings new opportunities for growth, exploration, and achievement. You’ll be part of our vibrant team that embraces diversity, fosters collaboration, and prioritizes your development. Whether you’re working in our four global Home Offices, Distribution Centers or Retail Stores—TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods, Homesense, Sierra, Winners, and TK Maxx, you’ll find abundant opportunities to learn, thrive, and make an impact. Come join our TJX family—a Fortune 100 company and the world’s leading off-price retailer.

Job Description:

Category Manager

What you’ll discover

• Inclusive culture and career growth opportunities
• Global Organization which collaborates across U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and India
• Challenging, collaborative, and team-based environment

What you’ll do

The TJX Global Sourcing and Procurement (GS&P) organization is a trusted partner to our myriad of business functions. As a Category Manager, you’ll act as a trusted business partner to the assigned Marketing category groups, collaborating on the development and execution of sourcing events and negotiation strategies for relevant areas of spend. You will partner with these functions to apply best in class sourcing processes and demonstrate your knowledge of Marketing and our off-price business model through the guidance you offer during the end-to-end sourcing process.

You are a trusted partner who provides value to your business partners through your sourcing expertise and industry knowledge. You’ll be recognized as someone who drives strategy, cost improvement and develops strong relationships across TJX.

• Supports Senior Category Managers in the execution of their regional and global sourcing events that are highly complex across all Marketing categories including sourcing administration and event support. Leads project execution for assigned events. Uses defined strategic sourcing methodologies, tools, and templates to ensure a fair, open and competitive sourcing process.
• Supports Senior Category Managers in the development of their regional and global sourcing strategies that are high complexity across all marketing-related spend categories, including agencies, media, social media management, loyalty, print and direct mail, promotional merchandise, market insights and analytics, experiential marketing and events, marketing technology platforms.
• Leads strategy development for assigned events.
• Leads cross-functional teams in the execution of Strategic Sourcing initiatives and the implementation of category strategies.
• Collaborates with Business Partners to drive value for the business while maintaining high quality service standards. Builds trust with key Business Partners to ensure alignment and satisfaction. Responsible for Business Partner relationship management including Senior Leaders.
• Participates in the development and execution of contracts and ensures compliance with TJX Approval Authority Schedule and Audit requirements.
• Develop negotiation strategy and conducts negotiations.
• Actively participates in Global Category Management Teams for assigned categories establishing solid partnerships with our global peers and colleagues, and executing multi-regional or global sourcing projects as needed.
• Identifies and executes opportunities for specification alignment, process improvement, and demand management.
• Supports supplier relationship management programs.
• Ensures, in partnership with Global Procurement Operations, a compliant ‘Source-to-Pay’ process is in place for all eligible Business Partner spend.
• Monitors and reports category-specific savings and performance metrics.
• Collects and actively challenges current product or service requirements; presents new sourcing strategies to drive cost savings; recommends new ways to manage demand through process re-design.
• Manage associates and develop them for future growth.

What you’ll need

We seek self-motivated colleagues who can demonstrate their talent and experience to identify, triage, and support the smooth operation of sourcing initiatives. You'll work with our finest thought leaders to correlate ongoing efforts with key business outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or Post-Secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business, Marketing or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years strategic sourcing, procurement or related experience
• Strong knowledge of sourcing and procurement in marketing-related spend categories, including creative, public relations, production and influencer agencies; affiliate marketing; media planning and buying; digital marketing services; social media management; content creation and production; print and direct mail; promotional merchandise; market research; experiential marketing and events; marketing technology platforms; CRM solutions; and loyalty and customer engagement programs.
• Strong knowledge and experience in working with internal brand, production, media, and analytics teams.
• Expertise in conducting marketing agency reviews and RFPs
• Strong business acumen.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong command of procurement/sourcing systems and Microsoft Suite
• Excellent interpersonal relationship development skills when interacting with associates, colleagues, leaders, Business Partners and suppliers.
• Ability to analyze data related to spend, supplier performance, and market trends. Ability to recognize trends within spend categories.
• Strong presentation skills, with experience presenting information to senior leaders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Developed management, training and development skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Marketing agency or brand experience
• Master’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Marketing or related field
• 1+ years managerial experiencePreference for candidates with experience in the retail industry, marketing, and managing multinational Business Partners and suppliers.
• Experience in building and executing supplier relationship management (SRM) strategies with marketing agencies and MarTech vendors.

Benefits include Associate discount; 401(k) match; medical/dental/vision; HSA; health care FSA; life insurance; short/long-term disability; paid holidays/vacation/sick/bereavement/parental leave; EAP; incentive programs for management; auto/home insurance discounts; tuition reimbursement; scholarship program; adoption/surrogacy assistance; smoking cessation; child care/cell phone discounts; pet/legal insurance; credit union; referral bonuses. All benefits are subject to applicable plan or program terms (including eligibility terms) and may change from time to time. Contact your TJX representative for more information.

In addition to our open door policy and supportive work environment, we also strive to provide a competitive salary and benefits package. TJX considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status, or based on any individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. TJX also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

Address:

199 Boston Post Rd West

Location:

USA Marshalls Store 0021 Marlborough MA

This position has a starting salary range of USD $104,800.00 to $136,200.00 per year. Actual starting pay is determined by a number of factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. This position is eligible for an annual incentive as well as long-term incentives.