Director of Category Management

Reece Group•Addison, TX

About The Position

The Director of Category Management is responsible for leading the end-to-end strategy, performance, and profitability of the product category within a plumbing wholesale distribution environment. This role is instrumental in driving growth, improving margins, optimizing inventory, and strengthening supplier relationships. The ideal candidate brings deep technical and commercial expertise in pipe and fitting products, including PVC, PEX, copper, cast iron, and steel systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing applications.

Requirements

Strong analytical and negotiation skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Proven ability to manage complex vendor portfolios and category P&Ls.
Effective communicator with strong influencing skills across departments and senior leadership.
Proficient in ERP and analytics platforms (e.g., Eclipse, Power BI, ).
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
8+ years of experience in category management or procurement in the plumbing or building materials sector.
Deep product knowledge of pipes and fittings (materials, standards, applications).
Experience working with contractors, distributors, or manufacturer reps.

Nice To Haves

MBA in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or related Field

Responsibilities

Develop and own the category strategy for pipes and fittings, aligned with market trends, customer demand, and company objectives.
Maintain a competitive, profitable, and regionally relevant assortment of pipes, fittings, valves, and accessories.
Conduct SKU rationalization and lifecycle planning to ensure optimized inventory.
Own pricing architecture across all pipe and fitting categories, balancing margin goals with market competitiveness.
Negotiate terms, rebates, marketing support, and supply agreements with manufacturers and key vendors (e.g., Charlotte Pipe, NIBCO, Uponor, etc.).
Partner with finance and branch leadership to manage profitability at the category and SKU level.
Work with the supply chain to maintain optimal inventory levels and reduce stockouts or overstock risks.
Partner with Sales and Operations to recommend new product introductions and end-of-life phase-outs.
Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to fill portfolio gaps or drive innovation.
Act as the subject matter expert for pipes and fittings across sales, marketing, operations, and training teams.
Support sales enablement by providing product knowledge resources, pricing strategies, and promotional guidance.
Collaborate with the digital/e-commerce team to ensure accurate product content and merchandising online.
Embrace the company purpose and live the values.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.