Manager, Senior Category Management

Cardinal Health•Dublin, OH

33d•Hybrid

About The Position

Marketing is responsible for assessing customer needs, market conditions and competition to inform business strategy. Marketing implements the strategy through developing, commercializing and monitoring the appropriate products and services. Category Management is responsible for cross functional collaboration that helps to deliver sales, profitability and inventory productivity goals by capitalizing on retail marketplace and shopper trends in designated categories. Manages and optimizes supplier relationships and product portfolio to drive financial results, increase market share and exceed customer expectations. Job Summary The Manager, Category Management has full profit-and-loss responsibility for one or more product categories within Consumer Health and drives revenue growth, profitability, market share, and brand awareness. Reporting to a Senior Manager, Category Management who oversees all product categories within a Consumer Health division, this job negotiates favorable agreements with vendors, executes product promotions, designs planograms, and tracks product changes. This job supervises a small team of Advisors and Coordinators who manage lower volume product categories and execute administrative tasks to support the division.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, preferred
8-12 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or retail strategy, preferred
Proven leadership experience with direct team management and cross-functional influence
Strong analytical and financial acumen; ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable strategies
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with syndicated data tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI) preferred

Responsibilities

Develops strategic category plans and innovative merchandising programs to deliver on financial objectives for the product category. Applies expert knowledge of product and of market to ensure Cardinal Health products gain and maintain competitive advantages in retail channels
Fosters key supplier relationships and negotiates favorable agreements for SKUs within the product category, applying strong financial and business acumen. Typically interacts with suppliers on an annual basis, and continually evaluates supplier performance and manages accounts payable using supplier portals
Supervises a team of Advisors and Coordinators with the division to ensure execution of category management strategies and of administrative tasks related to supplier relations. Provides guidance and feedback to direct reports and sets individual goals for team members
Collaborates with cross functional stakeholders including Pricing, Marketing, Legal, QRA, Planning, Inventory Management, Finance, Sales and Operations. Gains internal alignment and gathers information necessary to execute category management tactics
Continually monitors revenue and expenses for product category against established goals. Reports to Senior Manager, Category Management on performance of product category and individual products
Manages and optimizes category assortment planning and planogram review processes, creating the most advantageous mix and positioning of products in the category
Assesses sales trends and forecasts based on SKU data and evaluates implications for merchandising and pricing strategies
Attends trade shows, conferences, and other industry events to stay abreast of market developments, liaise with suppliers, and assess new merchandising and supplier opportunities
Leads regular people management processes within team, including performance management, recruiting, development and training