Category Manager

BROAD RIVER RETAIL•Tega Cay, SC

62d•Hybrid

About The Position

CATEGORY MANAGER AT A GLANCE: Broad River Retail is currently seeking a Category Manager to join our Merchandising team. This role provides strategic ownership and leadership for high-growth categories throughout our Furniture and Accessory assortments. Category Manager will drive category vision, long-term merchandising strategies, financial performance, and vendor partnerships while influencing cross-functional teams across the organization. A DAY IN THE LIFE AS THIS MEMORY MAKER: Strategic Leadership • Own and execute short and long-term category strategies aligned with brand experience and enterprise growth objectives. • Lead the development of 3–5 year category roadmaps focused on revenue growth, margin expansion, and market differentiation. • Serve as the subject matter expert and internal thought leader for assigned categories. • Identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and consumer behavior insights to influence category innovation and expansion. Financial Ownership • Ownership and accountability for assigned categories including revenue, competitive pricing strategies that support commissioned sales strategies, inventory productivity, and return on investment. • Develop and execute plans to achieve or exceed sales and inventory productivity targets across all retail locations. • Manage category performance through key retail metrics including: o Sales per guest o Sales per square foot o Inventory productivity o Gross margin and IMU performance • Deliver executive-level reporting and insights to senior leadership. Merchandising & Assortment Strategy • Lead enterprise assortment planning strategy across all retail channels and locations. • Build and maintain a strategic Core Assortment that balances innovation, margin optimization, and inventory efficiency. • Manage safety stock for all assigned categories and locations • Direct product lifecycle management including new product introductions, assortment refreshes, and exit strategies. • Establish pricing frameworks that maximize profitability while maintaining competitive positioning. Vendor & Supplier Strategy • Develop and manage strategic vendor partnerships, including negotiation of pricing, terms, and product exclusivity. • Collaborate with vendors on product innovation, market differentiation, and cost optimization initiatives. • Evaluate vendor performance and ensure alignment with quality, cost, and service expectations. Inventory & Supply Chain Collaboration • Partner closely with Supply Chain leadership to develop inventory strategies that optimize working capital and minimize aging inventory. • Oversee inbound flow planning, safety stock strategy, and replenishment frameworks. • Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve inventory health and supply chain efficiency. Data & Insights Leadership • Establish a data-driven decision culture by leveraging sales analytics, customer insights, and market research. • Lead advanced category performance analysis to identify growth opportunities and operational improvements. • Present strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership. Cross-Functional Leadership • Lead cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Finance, and Visual Merchandising. • Influence strategic initiatives across departments to ensure alignment with category strategies. • Support company-wide initiatives including promotional planning, store experience strategy, and new store launches. Team Leadership & Development • Mentor and develop merchandising team members and analysts. • Lead and manage cross-functional project teams. • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, Supply Chain, or related field required
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, category management, or buying
Furniture, bedding, or durable goods retail experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated success managing large-scale retail categories with significant revenue responsibility
Strong expertise in category strategy, assortment optimization, and pricing strategy
Advanced ability to analyze large data sets and translate insights into actionable strategies
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams
Excellent executive-level communication and presentation skills
Experience presenting strategic recommendations to senior leadership or executive teams
Strong project management capabilities with the ability to lead complex initiatives from strategy through execution
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth retail environment
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple strategic priorities simultaneously
Ability to work independently while leading cross-functional collaboration.
Must maintain a professional home office workspace capable of supporting virtual meetings, leadership presentations, and collaborative work sessions.
Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Merchandising preferred
Must have at least five years experience in retail merchandising.
Proficient in gathering and analyzing data
Possesses strong analytical and organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and the ability to communicate and influence at all levels within the organization
Self-directed with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with accountability to multiple departments and internal customers
Solid project management capabilities with the ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously from origin through execution
Collaborative approach to problem-solving a must
Ability to perform additional functions that may be assigned at the discretion of management
Ability to work independently, as well as, in a collaborative team environment
This role is primarily a work from home position after onsite training is complete.
Employees must arrange an appropriate workspace that ensures their productivity.
Must be able to participate in virtual meetings, on-camera, and calls with minimal distraction

Nice To Haves

Furniture/bedding experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Own and execute short and long-term category strategies aligned with brand experience and enterprise growth objectives.
Lead the development of 3–5 year category roadmaps focused on revenue growth, margin expansion, and market differentiation.
Serve as the subject matter expert and internal thought leader for assigned categories.
Identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and consumer behavior insights to influence category innovation and expansion.
Ownership and accountability for assigned categories including revenue, competitive pricing strategies that support commissioned sales strategies, inventory productivity, and return on investment.
Develop and execute plans to achieve or exceed sales and inventory productivity targets across all retail locations.
Manage category performance through key retail metrics including: o Sales per guest o Sales per square foot o Inventory productivity o Gross margin and IMU performance
Deliver executive-level reporting and insights to senior leadership.
Lead enterprise assortment planning strategy across all retail channels and locations.
Build and maintain a strategic Core Assortment that balances innovation, margin optimization, and inventory efficiency.
Manage safety stock for all assigned categories and locations
Direct product lifecycle management including new product introductions, assortment refreshes, and exit strategies.
Establish pricing frameworks that maximize profitability while maintaining competitive positioning.
Develop and manage strategic vendor partnerships, including negotiation of pricing, terms, and product exclusivity.
Collaborate with vendors on product innovation, market differentiation, and cost optimization initiatives.
Evaluate vendor performance and ensure alignment with quality, cost, and service expectations.
Partner closely with Supply Chain leadership to develop inventory strategies that optimize working capital and minimize aging inventory.
Oversee inbound flow planning, safety stock strategy, and replenishment frameworks.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve inventory health and supply chain efficiency.
Establish a data-driven decision culture by leveraging sales analytics, customer insights, and market research.
Lead advanced category performance analysis to identify growth opportunities and operational improvements.
Present strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Finance, and Visual Merchandising.
Influence strategic initiatives across departments to ensure alignment with category strategies.
Support company-wide initiatives including promotional planning, store experience strategy, and new store launches.
Mentor and develop merchandising team members and analysts.
Lead and manage cross-functional project teams.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.