Category Manager

Network Distribution•Schaumburg, IL

17d•$100,000 - $120,000

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 supplier business planning meetings, and annual contract negotiations. The Category Manager will foster deep and effective supplier relationships to drive category performance (sales & profitability) and business insights, while maintaining industry-wide connectivity and relationships with industry organizations. This position will also collaborate with suppliers to develop plans that contribute to annual corporate account sales objectives and work with the marketing team to optimize Network's growth and value in the packaging category, identifying opportunities for business and market share growth. A key aspect of this role is leading company-wide engagement and knowledge of packaging product categories, facilitating quarterly business reviews, preparing presentations and dashboards for top-to-top meetings, and leading quarterly Market Basket price evaluations. The Category Manager will identify key drivers of profitability, activate business levers for sales growth and profitability, and provide analytical insights for business opportunities. This role also involves participating in the preparation of Corporate Account business opportunities (RFPs) and leading the continuous training and development of the Category Development team, providing constructive support and direction. The Category Manager will explore and develop adjacent supplier programs and capabilities, demonstrate project leadership skills, and deliver problem-solving concepts and solutions to internal and external customers.

Requirements

5-10 years in a supplier relationship role, negotiating contracts and agreements.
Distribution experience preferred.
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
Familiarity with SAP or Salesforce experience a plus

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.
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
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.