Director of Category Management

Quality Bicycle Products•Bloomington, MN

8d•$160,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The Director of Category Management leads QBP’s Category Management organization and provides leadership oversight for the Canadian business. The role is responsible for the performance and growth of QBP’s distribution portfolio through category strategy, supplier and brand partnerships, assortment management, pricing execution, portfolio optimization, and commercial business planning. The Director develops supplier relationships, strengthens brand partnerships, improves category performance, and builds a high-performing Category Management organization. The role drives alignment across Sales, Purchasing, Demand Planning, Marketing, Global Product Supply, Proprietary Brands, and other business functions to deliver profitable growth and customer value. Success is measured by portfolio and category performance, partnership effectiveness, assortment productivity, pricing execution, talent development, business-plan execution, and organizational capability.

Requirements

Demonstrated success leading a significant commercial, merchandising, category management, or portfolio function with business-wide impact.
Deep understanding of bicycle industry dynamics, customer needs, supplier relationships, market trends, and the independent bicycle retailer channel.
Significant bicycle industry experience, or expertise in closely related industries combined with a passion for cycling and advancing the bicycle industry.
Proven success managing complex product portfolios, category strategies, and supplier partnerships.
Significant leadership experience, including leading managers, developing talent, and building high-performing teams.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic business plans that drive profitable growth and improve market performance.
Strong business and financial acumen, including sales, margin, inventory productivity, pricing, and profitability management.
Experience leading strategic supplier negotiations and executive-level supplier relationships.
Ability to influence and align cross-functional teams and senior leaders in a matrixed environment.
Strong analytical, decision-making, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated success leading organizational change, process improvement, and capability-development initiatives.
Ability to balance strategic leadership with effective day-to-day execution.
Ability to travel domestically or internationally up to eight times annually.
Valid driver’s license and passport, and ability to meet QBP Approved Driver requirements.
Ability to perform work extensively using a computer and telephone and to participate in customer, supplier, company, and industry meetings and events as required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Merchandising, Product Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Experience leading large, multi-category product portfolios and complex supplier networks.
Experience supporting Canadian or international business operations.
Experience developing succession plans and organizational capabilities.
Advanced degree or relevant executive leadership development.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of category, supplier, and brand strategies across QBP’s distribution portfolio.
Build strategic supplier and brand relationships, lead executive-level discussions and negotiations, and guide supplier portfolio and partnership decisions.
Oversee assortment, pricing, and supplier strategies to align with customer needs and enterprise objectives.
Own distribution portfolio performance, including sales, margin, inventory productivity, profitability, and market share.
Set portfolio performance expectations, KPIs, and business objectives; lead business reviews and ensure accountability to plans.
Identify portfolio risks, growth opportunities, and market changes, and drive corrective actions and portfolio adjustments.
Use data, customer insights, and market intelligence to inform supplier, category, brand, investment, pricing, assortment, and growth decisions.
Lead, coach, and develop Senior Category Business Managers, Category Business Managers, and the Senior Manager of QBP Canada.
Set performance expectations and development plans; recruit, develop, and retain talent; and build leadership capability and succession readiness.
Establish Category Management standards, processes, tools, and best practices, and lead organizational and process improvements.
Lead annual category planning and goal-setting, translate strategies into executable plans, and monitor and adjust execution as conditions evolve.
Present portfolio recommendations, opportunities, risks, and priorities to senior leadership.
Lead and develop the Senior Manager of QBP Canada, align Canadian priorities with enterprise objectives, and monitor Canadian performance and opportunities.
Align Canadian assortment, pricing, supplier, inventory, and growth strategies with the broader distribution portfolio.
Develop and manage departmental plans, budgets, and resource requirements; recommend staffing, training, and capability investments; and manage expenses within approved budgets.
Travel domestically or internationally up to eight times annually.