Associate Category Manager - Hybrid

Polyconcept North America • New Kensington, PA

62d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager has ownership and accountability for a category, or categories, under the strategic direction of a category director or senior manager. This manager also coordinates, communicates and manages the priorities of assigned categories of responsibility, to support category growth and sales performance measures for both Bulletline and Leeds products.

Requirements

• Strong management and leadership skills
• Strong product positioning and trend research
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills
• Must have strong analytical skill set and ability to effectively analyze sales data
• Must have exceptional organizational skills
• Exhibit high levels of flexibility and professionalism in extremely fast-paced environment
• Ability to influence and work through cross-functional teams without formal authority.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, merchandising, or related field.
• Minimum, 2-5 years' experience in product development or category management preferred, or a related field such as planning, merchandising, buying, or brand management.
• Experience in target customer and product trends.
• Previous experience with planning or sourcing required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages Category level plans that dovetail with Company's strategic and financial direction ensuring SKU's are "PO Ready" and that margin targets and investment goals are achieved. This is done in conjunction and approval of the Category Director.
• Works closely and assists a category manager, or senior manager, with development plans according to the strategic goals of the category and company.
• Drives Category Sales (Growth and Volume) and margin targets for appointed categories.
• Manages the life cycle of the full SKU offering in each category enhancing SKU productivity and minimizing obsolete inventory exposure based on the strategy set by the category director.
• Communicates and coordinates all phases of the development cycle as applies to duties and product development time and action of the product launch. This includes and supports product design and development through catalog launch and delivery.
• Analyzes and reports on sales, competitors, and market trends. React to these trends and apply the findings to development plans.
• Engages Operations Planning Team on all new initiatives.
• Develops and execute training/sales tools to assist sales force with information on new and existing product lines.
• Communicates to overseas merchandisers design PDFs and revisions, FOB targets and distributor pricing, materials, colors, packaging, production time, ETD's, maker minimums, testing/engineering - concerns/solutions and sample follow-up as applies to the product development launch.
• Communication responsibilities for all product compliance requirements.
• Closely collaborates with marketing team on effectively bringing new product to market and maximize marketing opportunities with existing product for both brands Bulletline and Leed's.
• Coordinates with Compliance manager on HTS information and customs compliance on current product development launch and inline concerns for Leed's and Bulletline.
• Coordinates with engineering and production control on all product testing/decorating approvals and fixture approvals of new products for Bulletline and Leed's. Communicate approvals and or concerns/solutions to Overseas Merchant Team for both brands.
• Manages profitability of a category with new product launches by analyzing target pricing and target gross margin. Also works with sourcing in managing inline product profitability by managing FOB costs and sourcing strategies.
• Researches and reviews by category/item to ensure that pricing and trend positioning of categories and items are consistent with Leed's and Bulletline Brand Strategy.
• Presents new product strategies and feature-benefits to large sales-oriented audience.
• Adheres to product launch timeline and action plans.
• Closely collaborates with category planner on setting optimal inventory levels for both brands Bulletline and Leed's.
• Responsible for serving as a brand manager for retail brand partners that fall within the categories you're responsible for managing.

Benefits

• Full healthcare and benefits! The health and wellness of our employees is important to us, that's why we offer benefits including medical, vision, dental, short-term disability, and more!
• Flexible scheduling
• 401k Matching
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays
• PCNA Cares Share Fund - donating to teammates in times of need

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees