Category Manager

Overview

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The Category Manager is responsible for procuring, developing, coordinating programs within assigned category areas to achieve corporate goals by maximizing sales, inventory, and gross margin dollars. The objectives will be met through focused merchandise assortments, effective marketing initiatives, strategic negotiations and disciplined merchandise management. Merchandise is purchased to maximize financial results while enhancing the overall divisions and company strategies.

Bosselman has many benefits to offer you that you will not find anywhere else like:

• Paid vacation
• 401K and matching contributions
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Short and long term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• A clearly defined path for growth
• On-demand pay with PayActiv (access to earned but not yet paid wages)
• And much more!

Bosselman offers on-demand pay (access to earned but not yet paid wages) through:

Responsibilities

• Evaluates, selects and procures products and services of acceptable quality and quantity.
• Negotiates and communicates optimal vendor programs and agreements.  
• Utilizes inventory management systems to ensure accurate ordering and replenishment across all locations.
• Reviews and analyzes sales performance, gross profit contributions, inventory levels, and product movement within categories.
• Participates in floor plan design and merchandise placement for new and existing locations.
• Monitors inventory turns to maximize profitability
• Conducts annual assortment reviews aligned with company goals and customer expectations
• Maintains awareness of new products and programs through competitive store visits, vendor contacts, and industry publications.
• Partners with vendors to minimize cost and maximize margins in assigned categories.
• Manages new item introductions, discontinued products, distribution changes, promotional support, out-of-stock reduction, and credit/return processes.
• Develops and coordinates promotional programs, advertising initiatives, and point-of-sale materials with vendors, ensuring communication and execution at the store level.
• Analyzes promotional effectiveness and adjusts strategies accordingly.
• Conducts competitive market survey and recommends retail pricing adjustments based on findings.  
• Develops and implements plan-o-grams (POGs) based on comprehensive category analysis.
• Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure effective execution of marketing programs.
• Executes sales, margin and inventory plans to achieve corporate objectives.
• Participates in weekly and/or monthly merchandising meetings, presenting reports, analysis, issues, and action items.
• Supports supply chain functions as required.
• Conducts monthly store visits to review planogram compliance and assortment integrity with District Managers and General Managers.
• Works at store level to implement store sets and gather important feedback.
• Provides guidance to Category Specialists regarding pricing, costing and vendor programs.
• Provides friendly and competent customer service.
• Reports for work in a timely manner when scheduled.

Additional Job Duties:

• Assists with other duties, as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience (include certs or licenses needed):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Marketing, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant purchasing experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of purchasing and/or category management experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills with effective follow-up and execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities at both a strategic and operational levels.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and marketing.
• Ability to identify and evaluate industry trends.
• Professional presentation skills for vendors, customers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive.
• Must be able to communicate in English. – IF APPLICABLE
• Able and willing to deliver friendly, courteous, and prompt customer service.
• Able and willing to work cooperatively with other team members.
• Must be able to work 50 hours or more a week, work weekends, and travel overnight as needed.

Physical Requirements:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the Category Manager to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, provided such accommodations do not create an undue hardship for the Company.

• This employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs., while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods of time and occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear.
• Physical attendance at the primary work location is required.