Category Director

Standard Motor Products•Queens, NY

6d•$90,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you prepared to shape the future of category management? As the Category Lead, you will manage a 250 million dollar portfolio and drive strategies within our Vehicle Control Group that redefine how we position our products, connect with consumers, and unlock market potential. It's an opportunity to transform our category landscape and influence the industry. About the role: Standard Motor Products (SMP) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Category Lead to spearhead the development of a new category strategy function within the Vehicle Control Group. This pivotal role involves full ownership of the category’s profit and loss (P&L), the creation and execution of scalable strategies, and fostering seamless collaboration across departments. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in product lifecycle management, cross-functional teamwork, and market intelligence, with a proven ability to leverage insights into impactful growth initiatives.

Requirements

A visionary leader with a bachelor's degree and a passion for driving meaningful change.
A strategic thinker who excels in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Over five years of managerial experience, with extensive expertise in category management and a solid understanding of overall departmental operations.
Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in category management, product management, or P&L ownership within the automotive aftermarket or a related industry.
Strong financial acumen with a proven track record in managing category P&L.
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams .
Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
Extensive experience conducting market research and competitive analysis.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed organization.
5+ years of retail merchant experience a must.

Responsibilities

Establish and lead the category strategy department, defining its structure within the Vehicle Control Group.
Take full ownership of the category’s profit and loss (P&L), by setting financial targets and monitoring key performance indicators such as revenue, margin, and market share.
Develop long-term category roadmaps that align with corporate growth objectives.
Manage and coordinate a multidisciplinary team, including Sourcing, Pricing, Engineering, Finance, IT, Marketing, and Sales/Account Management.
Ensure seamless execution of category initiatives across departments by aligning timelines, resources, and deliverables.
Conduct regular assessments of each category to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for expansion or optimization.
Develop competitive case studies to analyze current and emerging players in the market.
Monitor advancements in technology and product trends to maintain a competitive edge.
Evaluate "make vs. buy" opportunities for new or adjacent products within the Vehicle Control sector.
Collaborate with the Engineering and Sourcing teams to develop innovative products and expand into related categories.
Lead the business case development for new category investments or portfolio adjustments.
Conduct annual strategic reviews for High -performing categories.
Establish processes for ongoing category monitoring and strategy refinement.
Develop dashboards and reports to effectively communicate category performance to senior leadership.