Category Manager - Lawn & Garden

BWI Companies, Inc.•Nash, TX

1d•$60,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Category Manager will lead the growth and profitability of the Lawn & Garden product categories. This role develops and executes category plans, manages product assortments, identifies market and competitive opportunities, and analyzes sales, margins, inventory turns, and vendor profitability. The Category Manager serves as the primary contact for assigned vendors and negotiates pricing, program terms, and promotional support. The position develops competitive pricing strategies and evaluates promotions, rebates, and vendor incentives to improve profitability. It partners with Sales Management on category initiatives, coordinates vendor promotions and seasonal events, provides product knowledge and market insights to the sales team, and participates in customer visits, vendor meetings, trade shows, and industry events. The role also works with Purchasing on stock levels and replenishment, reduces slow-moving and obsolete inventory, and coordinates new item setup, product information, and vendor program implementation. The position offers an annual compensation range of $60,000–$80,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The company describes it as an opportunity to shape a growing product line and make a visible impact on its Consumer Products business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
Strong negotiation, analytical, and financial management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work across departments and manage competing priorities.
Willingness to travel approximately 10%.

Nice To Haves

3–5 years of experience in category management, purchasing, merchandising, or vendor management.
Experience in Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Living, Pest Control, or related consumer products industries is strongly preferred.
Experience in wholesale distribution or retail merchandising.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category plans focused on sales growth, margin improvement, and profitability.
Manage product assortments, including new and discontinued items.
Identify market trends, competitive activity, and opportunities to expand categories and add product lines.
Analyze category sales, margins, inventory turns, and vendor profitability.
Serve as the primary contact for assigned vendors.
Negotiate pricing, program terms, and promotional support.
Evaluate vendor performance, product costs, lead times, and service levels.
Develop competitive pricing strategies based on costs, competitors, and market conditions.
Evaluate promotional programs, rebates, and vendor incentives to maximize profitability.
Partner with Sales Management on category-specific sales initiatives.
Coordinate vendor promotions, seasonal offerings, and sales events.
Equip the sales team with product knowledge and market insights.
Participate in customer visits, vendor meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
Work with Purchasing to set stock levels and replenishment strategies.
Minimize slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
Coordinate new item setup, product information, and vendor program implementation.