Sr. Manager of Category Management - Core Equipment

Patterson Companies; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 123,200 - 164,333; Full time

Job summary

Patterson Companies in Saint Paul, MN seeks a Senior Manager of Category Management to lead end-to-end category strategies across assortment, pricing, promotions, and supplier partnerships. You will drive data-driven reviews of syndicated and internal data, customer insights, and competitive intelligence to shape the category roadmap and collaborate across functions to deliver measurable business outcomes.

The role requires deep analytics, strategic thinking, and strong leadership to build

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 8 years of category management, sourcing, or procurement experience.
• 3 years of leadership or people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of category strategies including assortment, pricing, promotions, and omnichannel merchandising.
• Oversee sourcing, RFIs/RFPs, supplier management and pricing architectures to improve profitability.
• Manage end-to-end product lifecycle, inform innovation and monitor adoption.
• Track category performance via KPIs and analytics; translate insights into action.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and vendors to align strategies.
• Build and improve category management processes and tooling; promote continuous improvement.
• Develop team capabilities, recruit and onboard, and optimize workflows.

Skills

Category management

Sourcing

Procurement

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field

Job description

The Senior Manager of Category Management is accountable to manage the execution and operating plans aligned to end-to-end category strategies across assortment, pricing, promotions, procurement, and supplier partnerships to grow sales, margin, and share. This position is responsible for data-driven reviews of syndicated and internal data, customer insights, and competitive intelligence to shape the category roadmap. In addition, this role collaborates cross-functionally to deliver measurable business outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development and execution of category strategies, operating plans and roadmaps, including assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and omnichannel merchandising, to achieve revenue, margin, and market share growth targets
• Oversee sourcing and commercial execution (RFIs/RFPs) and supplier management including risk analyses, competitive pricing, service levels, and adherence to supplier governance and procurement practices and align cross-functionally on pricing architectures and promotions that improve profitability
• Manage the end-to-end product lifecycle; inform innovation and product introduction, monitor adoption, and lead rationalization decisions ensuring alignment to customer demand and business goals
• Manage category performance management through KPIs, scorecards, business reviews and analytics, translating insights into actionable plans that improve sales, profitability, and operational efficiency
• Drive data-informed decision-making by synthesizing internal and syndicated data, customer insights, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and inform category plans
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and vendor partners to align category strategies with broader business objectives and ensure effective execution
• Establish and enhance category management processes, tools, and best practices, championing continuous improvement and scalability across the function
• Build organizational capacity by strengthening team capabilities, enabling effective use of skills, supporting recruiting and onboarding, and improving processes, tools, or workflows to enhance performance and achieve organizational objectives
• 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 Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field or equivalent education and/or experience
• 8 years category management, sourcing, or procurement experience
• 3 years of leadership or people management experience

Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience of category trends, regulatory considerations, and supply chain dynamics
• Solid understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, competitive landscape, and supply chain considerations
• Advanced analytical and financial acumen; ability to interpret and translate complex data into concise recommendations
• Strong business acumen, sourcing and negotiation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to effectively influence and deliver concise information to internal and external stakeholders
• Strong project and change leadership skills; ability to prioritize initiatives, manage dependencies, and lead process improvements
• Experience building organizational capacity and developing team capabilities and skills

Physical and Cognitive Demands

• Communicate/Hearing Frequently
• Communicate/Talking Frequently
• Learn New Tasks or Concepts Frequently
• Make Timely Decisions in the Context of a Workflow Frequently
• Complete Tasks Independently Constantly
• Maintain Focus Constantly
• Remember Processes & Procedures Constantly
• Stationary Position (Seated) Constantly
• Vision Constantly
• Hand/Eye Coordination Occasionally
• Bend Rarely
• Complete Tasks in a Noisy Environment Rarely
• Feeling/Grasping/Handling Rarely
• Move/Traverse RarelyRepetitive Motions Rarely

Working Environment

• Hazards Occasionally

Environmental Conditions

• Office: This position primarily operates in a professional office environment in which team members occupy desks in assigned areas or at meeting/collaboration spaces within the building. The building's primary work areas consist of desks, chairs, computers, and other office equipment and devices for professional services.
• Remote: This position primarily completes work from a remote setting, most commonly, a home office. This may be referenced as flexible workplace.

Travel Requirements

• 10%

The potential compensation range for this role is below. The final offer amount could exceed this range, based on various factors such as candidate location (geographical labor market), experience, and skills. $123,200.00 - $164,333.33