Senior Manager, Category Strategy

Staples; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive culture with associate-led B

Flexible PTO (22 days) and 7 holidays

Discounts and 401(k) match

Job summary

Staples is seeking a senior leader in category management to develop and execute multi-year growth strategies and roadmaps across major product portfolios. You will identify growth opportunities, evaluate performance, and align cross-functional teams to drive strategic priorities.

The role requires strong financial acumen, executive presence, and a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders while using Excel, Tableau, and Power BI to analyze customer and market data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Economics, or equivalent work experience.
• 8+ years of experience in category management, strategy, merchandising, consulting, or analytics.
• Experience developing and executing growth strategies and business plans.
• Experience influencing cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen and business case development experience.
• Proficiency with Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or related tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category growth strategies and actionable roadmaps.
• Identify growth platforms, innovation opportunities, and emerging market trends.
• Evaluate portfolio performance and prioritize investments.
• Lead category strategy discussions with merchandising leaders and stakeholders.
• Align cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities.
• Analyze customer behavior, market trends, and financial performance.
• Build business cases and support ROI-focused decisions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Executive presence

Communication skills

Ambiguity navigation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Marketing/Economics or equivalent experience

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together. Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers’ needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We’re inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more

What you will be doing:

• Develop and execute multi-year category growth strategies and actionable roadmaps.


• Identify growth platforms, innovation opportunities, and emerging market trends.


• Evaluate portfolio performance and prioritize investments.


• Lead category strategy discussions with merchandising leaders and stakeholders.


• Align cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities.


• Analyze customer behavior, market trends, and financial performance.


• Build business cases and support ROI-focused decisions.


• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Strategic thinking with strong business acumen.


• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Executive presence and influencing capabilities.


• Strong communication and storytelling skills.


• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive change.


• Collaborative leadership and stakeholder management.

What’s needed: Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Economics, or equivalent work experience.


• 8+ years of experience in category management, strategy, merchandising, consulting, or analytics.


• Experience developing and executing growth strategies and business plans.


• Experience influencing cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.


• Strong financial acumen and business case development experience.


• Proficiency with Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or related tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree preferred.


• 8+ years of experience in retail, CPG or related industry.


• 3+ years of people leadership experience.


• Experience managing complex category portfolios.


• Private brand, product development, and category management experience.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups


• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)


• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.