Category Manager

Network Distribution•Schaumburg, IL

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager will be responsible for building strategy and executing plans to increase packaging category revenue and program contribution annually. This role involves managing supplier relationships for a designated product category, supporting the Network Executive team in supplier business planning meetings and annual contract negotiations. The Category Manager will create deep and effective supplier relationships that drive category performance (sales & profitability) and business insights, while maintaining industry-wide connectivity and fostering relationships with industry organizations. The position also assists in elevating Network’s market position and status with top suppliers and works with category suppliers to develop plans that contribute to the achievement of Network’s annual corporate account sales objectives. Additionally, the role involves formulating and executing category business strategies and marketing efforts, collaborating with the marketing team to optimize Network growth and value in the packaging category, and identifying opportunities to accelerate business and market share growth. The Category Manager will lead company-wide engagement and knowledge of packaging product categories, facilitate quarterly business reviews and discussions with top suppliers, and prepare presentations and dashboards for all top-to-top meetings. This role also includes leading quarterly Market Basket price evaluations to ensure competitiveness, identifying key drivers of profitability, activating business levers for sales growth and profitability, and providing analytical insights for opportunities in contract price variances, cost reductions, and customer SKU rationalizations. The Category Manager will participate in preparing Corporate Account business opportunities (RFPs), lead the continuous training and development of the Category Development team, provide constructive support and direction, and transfer knowledge to enhance team understanding of NETWORK and the customer. Exploration and development of adjacent supplier programs and capabilities that enhance overall category performance are also key responsibilities. The role requires demonstrated project leadership skills, the ability to prioritize and deliver on multiple concurrent initiatives, and the delivery of problem-solving concepts and solutions to internal and external customers. Advanced presentation, attention to detail, accuracy, written and verbal communication skills are essential. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and creative problem solver with the ability to work both independently and within a team.

Requirements

5-10 years in a supplier relationship role, negotiating contracts and agreements
3-5 years’ experience managing people
Bachelor’s degree, with concentration in business or finance preferred. Or Associate’s Degree with 5-7 years relevant industry and work experience
Advanced level of Microsoft: PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Outlook
Excellent attention to detail and high degree of accuracy
Advanced written and verbal communication skills
Self-starter and creative problem solver with ability to work both independently and within a team
Advanced presentation skills with ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to suppliers, customers, Members and internal Network staff

Nice To Haves

Distribution experience preferred
Familiarity with SAP or Salesforce experience a plus

Responsibilities

Help build strategy and execute plans to increase packaging category revenue and program contribution annually
Manage supplier relationships for designated product category
Support Network Executive team in supplier business planning meetings and annual contract negotiations
Create deep and effective supplier relationships that drive category performance (sales & profitability) and business insights
Maintain industry wide connectivity, foster relationships with industry organizations
Assist in elevating Network ’s market position and status with top suppliers
Work with category suppliers to develop plans which contribute to the achievement of Network ’s annual corporate account sales objectives
Formulate and help execute category business strategies and marketing efforts
Collaborate with marketing team to optimize Network growth and value in the packaging category and identify opportunities to accelerate business and market share growth
Lead companywide engagement and knowledge of packaging product categories
Facilitate quarterly business reviews and discussions with top suppliers
Prepare presentations and dashboards for all top-to-top meetings
Lead quarterly Market Basket price evaluation to ensure relevant competitiveness of top selling SKUs
Identify key drivers of profitability in supply transactions
Activate business levers to affect category sales growth and profitability
Provide analytical insights to identify business opportunities on contract price variances, cost reductions and customer SKU rationalizations
Participate in preparation of Corporate Account business opportunities (RFP’s)
Lead the continuous training/development of the Category Development team
Provide constructive support and direction to others on the team
Transfer knowledge and training to all members to enhance their understanding of NETWORK and the customer
Explore and develop adjacent supplier programs and capabilities that enhance overall category performance
Demonstrate project leadership skills, with the ability to prioritize and deliver on multiple concurrent initiatives
Deliver problem solving concepts and solutions to internal and external customers