Senior Director of Category Management

Patterson Companies; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Patterson Companies in Minnesota is seeking a senior leader to drive enterprise category management across multiple business units. You will shape the vision, align strategies with customers and suppliers, and lead a team of directors and managers to deliver value.

The role emphasizes analytics, supplier governance, and transformation initiatives, with accountability for growth, profitability, and risk reduction through disciplined portfolio management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management or equivalent education and/or experience
• 12 years in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, merchandising or related disciplines
• 6 years leadership or people management experience

Responsibilities

• Define the enterprise category management vision, portfolio strategy, and multi-year roadmap, ensuring alignment with growth objectives, customer needs, supplier capabilities, and market opportunities.
• Lead category management leaders across multiple categories or business segments, establishing priorities, governance, and performance expectations that drive consistent execution and business results.
• Establish and evolve enterprise frameworks, policies, and operating standards governing category strategy, assortment architecture, supplier management, sourcing practices, pricing governance, promotions, and lifecycle management.
• Direct enterprise portfolio reviews and category investment planning, balancing growth opportunities, margin objectives, inventory efficiency, supply continuity, and customer value creation across the category portfolio.
• Oversee the development of advanced category analytics, customer insights, and performance measurement capabilities that inform strategic decisions, improve forecasting accuracy, and strengthen competitive positioning.
• Sponsor strategic supplier partnerships and executive-level business planning activities that drive innovation, improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and create long-term value for the organization.
• Partner with executive leadership across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement to align category strategies, resource investments, and transformation initiatives with organizational objectives.
• Build organizational capability through leadership of directors and managers, succession planning, talent development, budget oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen category management effectiveness across the enterprise.
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

Skills

category management

strategic sourcing

supplier governance

merchandising

executive leadership

financial analytics

stakeholder management

organizational development

change leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management or equivalent

Job description

Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.

One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.

Essential Functions

• Define the enterprise category management vision, portfolio strategy, and multi-year roadmap, ensuring alignment with organizational growth objectives, customer needs, supplier capabilities, and market opportunities.
• Lead category management leaders across multiple categories or business segments, establishing priorities, governance, and performance expectations that drive consistent execution and business results.
• Establish and evolve enterprise frameworks, policies, and operating standards governing category strategy, assortment architecture, supplier management, sourcing practices, pricing governance, promotions, and lifecycle management.
• Direct enterprise portfolio reviews and category investment planning, balancing growth opportunities, margin objectives, inventory efficiency, supply continuity, and customer value creation across the category portfolio.
• Oversee the development of advanced category analytics, customer insights, and performance measurement capabilities that inform strategic decisions, improve forecasting accuracy, and strengthen competitive positioning.
• Sponsor strategic supplier partnerships and executive-level business planning activities that drive innovation, improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and create long-term value for the organization.
• Partner with executive leadership across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement to align category strategies, resource investments, and transformation initiatives with organizational objectives.
• Build organizational capability through leadership of directors and managers, succession planning, talent development, budget oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen category management effectiveness across the enterprise.
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

People Management

• Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties
• Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company's Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management or equivalent education and/or experience
• 12 years in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, merchandising or related disciplines
• 6 years leadership or people management experience

Preferred Requirements

• Master's Degree Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Marketing or equivalent education and/or experience
• Executive-level experience leading category strategy across multiple business units, product portfolios, or market segments
• Experience leveraging advanced analytics, customer insights, and market intelligence to drive enterprise decision-making
• Experience overseeing large-scale supplier partnerships, strategic sourcing programs, and enterprise contract governance
• Demonstrated success leading business transformation, organizational change, and category performance improvement initiatives

Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of category management, portfolio strategy, strategic sourcing, supplier governance, and merchandising principles
• Executive leadership capabilities for directing multiple levels of management and driving enterprise-wide organizational outcomes
• Strategic business acumen with expertise in balancing growth, profitability, customer value, supply continuity, and competitive positioning
• Advanced financial and analytical expertise used to evaluate portfolio performance, investment opportunities, market trends, and business risks
• Executive influencing and stakeholder management capabilities with demonstrated success leading through collaboration and organizational alignment
• Organizational development expertise focused on building leadership capability, succession pipelines, and high-performing teams
• Change leadership experience driving