Strategic Category Manager – Growth & Analytics

Vallen Distribution, Inc; Belmont (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (SB

401K with discretionary company match

Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance

Disability Benefits (Short/Long Term)

Job summary

Vallen Distribution, Inc is seeking a Category Manager to drive category strategies across assigned product categories, partnering with Sales, IT, Sourcing, and Supply Chain to optimize assortment, pricing, and supplier performance in line with enterprise objectives.

Responsibilities include assortment management, category planning, supplier management, analytics, cross-functional collaboration, and market insights to support new product introductions and lifecycle management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in category management, sourcing, merchandising, or product management, preferably within industrial distribution or B2B environments
• Solid analytical and financial skills with experience evaluating sales, margin, and inventory performance
• Ability to execute category plans and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive positioning
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across functions
• Effective communication and supplier relationship management skills
• Experience working with ERP systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)

Responsibilities

• Assortment management based on customer demand, sales performance, and supplier capabilities with a strong focus on customer needs.
• Support the development and execution of category plans, including assortment changes, supplier negotiations and value positioning.
• Manage supplier relationships, including performance reviews, cost initiatives, and ongoing collaboration to support category strategies.
• Analyze sales, margin, and inventory data to monitor category performance, identify trends, and support data-driven decisions.
• Work with Sales, Sourcing, Marketing, and Operations to execute category initiatives and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and product opportunities; support new product introductions and lifecycle management.
• Support category-level margin, inventory, and working capital objectives through pricing actions, cost initiatives, and supplier programs.

Skills

Category management

Sourcing

Merchandising

Product management

Analytical skills

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Vallen Distribution, Inc is seeking a Category Manager to drive category strategies across assigned product categories, partnering with Sales, IT, Sourcing, and Supply Chain to optimize assortment, pricing, and supplier performance in line with enterprise objectives.

Responsibilities include assortment management, category planning, supplier management, analytics, cross-functional collaboration, and market insights to support new product introductions and lifecycle management.