Category Manager, Work Surfaces & Laminate Case Goods

Exemplis LLC; Cypress (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Schedule

Health Insurance

401(k)

Time Off

Job summary

Exemplis is seeking a Category Manager for Work Surfaces & Laminate Case Goods in Cypress, CA. You will own the category strategy, roadmap, and profitability, partnering with Engineering, Design, Finance, Sales, Sourcing, and Supply Chain to deliver market-ready products.

Lead pricing, trends analysis, and go-to-market plans, while ensuring product lifecycle optimization and strong stakeholder alignment across functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Interior Design, Industrial Design, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in product marketing, category management, product management, or merchandising.
• Experience managing a product category P&L, pricing and margin strategy, product roadmap, and lifecycle.
• Experience leading cross-functional new-product-development and commercialization processes.
• Strong analytical capability including market sizing, pricing analysis, and forecasting.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; proficient with Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end category strategy, multi-year roadmap, and P&L for work surfaces and laminate case goods.
• Analyze sales, margin, forecast, sell-through, and competitive data to identify risks and opportunities.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking across ergonomics, hybrid work, and design trends.
• Partner with Engineering and Industrial Design during new-product development from concept to launch.
• Lead laminate, finish, material, and hardware strategy with cross-functional teams.
• Develop pricing architecture, discount structures, and promotional strategies.
• Build go-to-market and commercialization plans including tooling and dealer training.
• Manage product lifecycle including SKU rationalization and end-of-life planning.
• Serve as category expert for Sales, dealers, and key accounts; support strategic bids.
• Monitor regulatory and sustainability requirements relevant to materials and emissions.
• Translate feedback into product requirements and align stakeholders on priorities and timelines.

Skills

Product marketing

P&L management

Pricing strategy

Market research

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecasting

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business/Design

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Category Manager, Work Surfaces & Laminate Case Goods

Company: Exemplis

Department: Growth and Experience

Location: Cypress, CA, US, 90630

Work Designation: Hybrid

Salary Range: $112,406.00- $168,608.00

Position Summary:

The Category Manager, Work Surfaces & Laminate Case Goods owns the strategy, product roadmap, commercialization, and financial performance of the company's horizontal work surfaces and laminate storage/case goods portfolio. The category includes desks, benching systems, height-adjustable and sit-stand worksurfaces, conference and training tables, storage towers, pedestals, files, bookcases, credenzas, and wardrobe units. This role serves as the portfolio's subject-matter expert, translating customer, dealer, and architecture and design (A&D) insights into products, positioning, pricing, and go-to-market plans that drive profitable, sustainable growth.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Own the end-to-end category strategy, multi-year roadmap, and P&L for work surfaces and laminate case goods, aligned with company growth, revenue, and margin targets.
• Analyze sales, margin, forecast, sell-through, win/loss, and competitive data to identify category risks, white-space opportunities, and investment priorities.
• Conduct market research and competitive benchmarking across ergonomics, hybrid work, sit-stand adoption, benching density, workplace design, case goods construction, hardware, finish quality, price, and delivery.
• Partner with Engineering and Industrial Design throughout new-product development, from concept through launch, to ensure products meet market needs, design intent, cost targets, quality standards, and manufacturability requirements.
• Lead laminate, finish, material, component, and hardware strategy with Design, Engineering, Sourcing, and Supply Chain, including palette refreshes, supplier evaluation, locks, glides, grommets, metal bases, and technology/power integration.
• Develop pricing architecture, program and discount structures, and promotional strategies in partnership with Finance and Sales; recommend cost-out and margin-improvement initiatives.
• Build integrated go-to-market and commercialization plans, including positioning, messaging, specification tools, product literature, sales tools, launch materials, and dealer/rep training.
• Manage product lifecycle performance, including SKU rationalization, phase-in/phase-out and end-of-life planning, inventory exposure, and obsolescence risk.
• Serve as the category expert for Sales, dealers, A&D partners, and key accounts; support strategic bids, custom finish requests, large project specifications, presentations, dealer visits, and trade shows such as NeoCon.
• Monitor regulatory, environmental, and sustainability requirements relevant to laminate, wood-based materials, components, emissions standards, and responsible sourcing certifications.
• Translate customer, dealer, market, and operational feedback into clear product requirements and portfolio recommendations, while keeping cross-functional stakeholders aligned on priorities, timelines, and launch readiness.

Qualifications, Skills and Education:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Interior Design, Industrial Design, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• 5 + years of experience in product marketing, category management, product management, or merchandising, preferably within contract/office furniture, case goods, building products, or a related manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated success managing a product category P&L, pricing and margin strategy, product roadmap, and lifecycle.
• Experience leading cross-functional new-product-development and commercialization processes from concept through launch.
• Strong analytical capability, including market sizing, pricing analysis, competitive benchmarking, sales and margin analysis, and forecasting.
• Strong project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and align Engineering, Design, Finance, Sales, Sourcing, Supply Chain, and Marketing partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills for executive, sales, dealer, A&D, and customer-facing audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of contract furniture, workplace planning, ergonomics, dealer channels, and A&D specification practices.
• Familiarity with laminate materials, case goods construction, furniture hardware, manufacturing processes, and sustainable material standards.
• Experience with PLM, ERP, product-configurator, specification, or other product-information systems.

Perks and Benefits:

• We hope that you’re excited by the possibilities that come along with working at Exemplis! With us,TEAMcomes first. We bring integrity, passion, and excellence to work each day. Being part of our team means living our core values and thriving in an environment of constant innovation and positive change.
• Competitive Salary:Our compensation philosophy is to be externally competitive, internally fair, and not win or lose on compensation. Salary ranges are developed with the support of national benchmarks and industry best practices that adjusts to your cost of labor, years of relevant experience, skill set, and education.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: We believe in supporting a healthy work–life balance and offer a flexible hybrid schedule, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and onsite collaboration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Health Insurance:We offer a variety of health insurance options (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for all of our team members. Eligible the first month following your start date.
• 401(k): We match 100% up to 3% and then 50% of the next 2% deferred.
• Time Off:Taking time off to recharge is a must whether it is for your personal health or vacation; paid time off starts accruing day 1!
• Observed Holidays: 10 company observed holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
• Employee Discounts: We offer discounts to our employee across all of our product lines.
• Hit our Numbers Lunch:When we hit our monthly milestones, we all celebrate!
• Tuition Scholarships:Partnership with UMASS Global for 10%-20% off tuition for you and/or your family.

About Us:

It all started in a small warehouse in California with just three employees, a fax machine and a bell that rang out every time a chair came down the conveyor belt. 30 years later, Exemplis continues to lead, innovate and disrupt an array of industries through its growing family of brands — including SitOnIt Seating,Timbuk2, X-Chair, Maverick, Mavix, Edloe Finch, and Albany Park.

From sustainable manufacturing to outreach programs and more, we strive to make a positive impact on everyone we serve. We make sure our people (and their communities) are at the core of our organization. To make a difference, we must be a champion of diversity, inclusion, service and social justice — above all else.

Are you ready to be a part of something special? We have headquarters, offices and retail stores across the U.S. (plus a variety of flexible work opportunities).

Exemplis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and our company adheres to the equal employment opportunity guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local laws. Read our full statement on our careers page.

Nearest Major Market: Orange County
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles