Category Manager (Merchant)

Clark Associates, Inc.; Lancaster (Lancaster County); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Dental

PTO

401(k) matching

Wellness incentives

Employee discounts

Job summary

Clark Associates, Inc. in Lancaster, PA, is seeking a Merchant to manage performance within a major product category. The role develops growth strategies, negotiates vendor programs, and nurtures supplier partnerships to support catalog objectives. This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days in-person.

You will drive pricing, quality, and service improvements while aligning with organizational goals and delivering value to customers. 2–5 years of experience with category leadership is preferred.

Qualifications

• Mastery and proven track record in duties and responsibilities of a Category Analyst/Developer.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to identify improvement areas for categories and implement plans independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee category management within an assigned segment or major category, ensuring alignment with business and category strategies.
• Negotiate and execute annual vendor programs that deliver competitive pricing, favorable terms, and strategic value.
• Develop, implement, and own growth strategies for assigned categories.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to support long-term category objectives and catalog strategy.
• Identify opportunities for improvement across pricing, quality, and service, and implement enhancements proactively.
• Apply proficiency in category analysis and development to optimize performance and support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate effectively across internal and external partners.

Skills

Category analysis

Vendor relationships

Pricing strategy

Communication skills

Job description

Job Summary

The Merchant is responsible for managing performance within an assigned product segment or major category. This role develops and executes growth strategies, negotiates competitive vendor programs, and nurtures strong supplier partnerships that support overall catalog and category objectives. The Merchant drives continuous improvement in pricing, processes, quality, and service while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering value to customers.

Job Summary

The Merchant is responsible for managing performance within an assigned product segment or major category. This role develops and executes growth strategies, negotiates competitive vendor programs, and nurtures strong supplier partnerships that support overall catalog and category objectives. The Merchant drives continuous improvement in pricing, processes, quality, and service while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering value to customers. This is a hybrid position that requires 3 days a week in-person.

Responsibilities

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, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Oversee category management within an assigned segment or major category, ensuring alignment with business and category strategies
• Negotiate and execute annual vendor programs that deliver competitive pricing, favorable terms, and strategic value
• Develop, implement, and own growth strategies for assigned categories
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to support long-term category objectives and overall catalog strategy
• Identify opportunities for improvement across pricing, quality, and service, and implement enhancements proactively
• Apply proficiency in category analysis and development to optimize performance and support strategic decision-making
• Utilize strong organizational and communication skills to collaborate effectively across internal and external partners
• Demonstrate knowledge of product materials, features, and attributes to inform category strategy and product decisions
• Independently identify category improvement opportunities and execute plans to address them

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
• Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
• Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
• Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.

Remote Work Qualifications

• Access to a reliable and secure high-speed internet connection. Cable or fiber internet connections (at least 75mbps download/10mbps upload) are preferred, as satellite connections often cannot support the technologies used to perform day-to-day tasks.
• Access to a home router and modem.
• A dedicated home office space that is noise- and distraction-free. The space should have strong wireless connection or a wired Ethernet connection (wired connection is preferred, if possible).
• A valid, physical address (apartment, suite, etc.). PO Boxes are not supported, as a physical address is required for you to receive your computer equipment.
• The desire and ability to work and communicate with other team members via chat, webcam, etc.
• Legal residents of one of the following states: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY). H-1B Visa Sponsorship Not Available, W2 only.

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in a similar role or related work such as category manager or buyer
• We consider applicants with diverse majors and work history; however, applicants frequently have education in Business Management, Supply Chain, Business Logistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Marketing, or a related field. Relevant positions include Buyer, Procurement Analyst, Sourcing Operations Analyst, Vendor Manager, and Pricing Analyst.

Education

This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.

Desired Traits & Skills

• Mastery and proven track record of all duties, skills, and responsibilities of a Category Analyst/Developer
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Knowledge of product materials and product features
• Ability to identify improvement areas for categories and implement plans independently

Company Overview

A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark's distribution methods in the food service industry.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• PTO
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Disability
• Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Incentives
• Company Discounts
• AT&T & Verizon Discount
• Bonus Opportunities
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Adoption Assistance

Available at HQ Locations Only

• On-Site Fitness Centers
• Dog-friendly Offices