Category Manager, Hardware & Equipment

Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa•Clearwater, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager, Hardware & Equipment is responsible for the commercial success of the Hardware & Equipment business across the Pinch A Penny system. The role owns category strategy, assortment, pricing, promotions, vendor partnerships, inventory performance, and financial results for one of the company’s largest merchandise categories. Working closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and franchisees, the Category Manager develops strategies to improve sales, gross margin, inventory productivity, and franchisee profitability. The position directly leads the Buyer responsible for day-to-day purchasing and replenishment execution. The Category Manager owns the strategy, while the Buyer executes the plan. The position is based at Pinch A Penny Administration in Clearwater, Florida. Pinch A Penny, a POOLCORP company, is the nation’s largest franchised retail pool, patio, and spa company, with more than 300 stores. The company describes itself as committed to employee recognition, work-life balance, career advancement, training, and an inclusive workplace. External employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment drug testing and background verification. This is considered a safety-sensitive position.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, buying, product management, retail operations, or related commercial disciplines.
Experience managing vendor relationships and commercial negotiations.
Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to translate data into business decisions.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
High degree of ownership, accountability, and execution.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Military, military spouse, and veteran applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute long-term strategy for the Hardware & Equipment categories.
Build annual category plans aligned with company growth objectives.
Identify opportunities to grow sales, improve gross margin, and increase market share.
Monitor competitive assortment, pricing, promotions, and emerging industry trends.
Evaluate new products, product rationalization opportunities, and private-label expansion.
Own category financial performance, including sales, gross margin, inventory investment, inventory turns, promotional ROI, forecast accuracy, and category profitability.
Build strategic partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers.
Lead vendor negotiations covering pricing, programs, rebates, promotional funding, and product introductions.
Conduct regular business reviews with key vendors and hold vendors accountable for service levels, product availability, innovation, and commercial performance.
Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, value perception, and profitability.
Partner with Marketing on promotional calendars and seasonal merchandising programs; evaluate results and adjust future strategies.
Recommend bundles and merchandising opportunities to increase average transaction value.
Define category assortment by store format, geography, and customer demand.
Partner with Supply Chain and Purchasing to optimize inventory investment and product availability.
Improve inventory productivity, turns, and overall category health.
Manage lifecycle decisions for new products, discontinued items, and assortment optimization.
Directly manage the Buyer supporting the Hardware & Equipment category.
Set priorities for purchasing, replenishment, and vendor execution; develop team capabilities and foster accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Ensure purchasing activities support category objectives.
Partner with franchisees to improve category performance and profitability, and gather franchisee feedback to inform merchandising strategies.
Present category initiatives at Franchise Advisory Council meetings, Expo, and regional meetings.
Support franchisee education on new products, pricing, promotions, and merchandising best practices.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Wellness Programs.
401(k) with company match.
Paid Time Off, eligible based on company terms, with PTO increasing with tenure.
Eight paid holidays.
Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Fully funded tuition education programs.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Career advancement and training opportunities.
Employee discounts.