Category Manager (Merchant)

Clark Associates

Lancaster (Lancaster County)

Hybrid

USD 85,000 - 120,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

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

On-Site Fitness Centers

Dog-friendly Offices

Job summary

Clark Associates, based in Lancaster, PA, is seeking a Merchant to manage performance within a major product category. You will develop growth plans, negotiate vendor programs, and nurture supplier partnerships to support catalog objectives and deliver value to customers.

This is a hybrid position requiring three days in-person per week. The role emphasizes pricing improvements, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to align with company goals and drive category success.

Qualifications

2-5 years of experience in category management, purchasing, or a buyer role.
Strong analytical and negotiation skills with vendor management experience.
Effective communicator with cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

Oversee category management within an assigned segment or major category.
Negotiate and execute annual vendor programs with favorable terms and pricing.
Develop growth strategies for assigned categories and optimize catalog strategy.
Build relationships with key vendors to support long-term objectives.
Identify opportunities for pricing, quality, and service improvements and implement them.

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

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