Category Manager

Overview

The Manager, Category will be responsible for P&L management, strategic planning, day-to-day business management & keeping the organization informed of updates to product and business strategy.

Key Tasks:

• Drive category growth in terms of revenue, market share, and global expansion. Develop 3-5 year product strategy.
• Curate line plan driven by consumer, market and retailer insights capitalizing on specific needs and white space opportunities
• Lead kick offs with design team to present product needs and design recommendations based on detailed analysis of past performance, business objectives, and evaluation of market trends and opportunities
• Develop Channel Strategy within the line plan that aligns with retailer and business needs
• Ensure products align with brand and marketing experience
• Lead creation of sell in strategy including product reason for being, merchandising recommendations, competitive advantages, market point of view and differentiation
• Present new products to key retailers and support Sales in preparation of pitch decks, product overviews and sell sheets outlining the unique selling proposition
• Monitor financial performance for assigned category including revenue tracking, margin and profitability review, and ROS analysis
• Lead market and competitive research analysis and provide updates to design and cross functional teams as necessary
• Work with design, engineering and procurement teams in achieving margin goals, FOB (cost), and quarterly launch calendar
• Establish MSRP pricing, evaluate margins and adjust product / packaging / pricing as needed to achieve target financials
• Seek cost reduction opportunities to increase margin; work with engineering, design and supply chain to implement changes
• Collaborate on packaging strategy including copy, graphics, content, and hierarchy of call outs; Create packaging brief to guide packaging team on desired design
• Collaborate on design brief to initiate marketing, video, photography, or other creative functions on project requests to bring the story to life
• Host cross functional meetings to align on strategy, present new product opportunities, product updates and merchandising plans by retailer, brand and launch quarter
• Initiate requests for research and collaborate on research plan and execution of insights
• Lead cross functional product development team to successfully commercialize products and meet financial goals
• Online product reviews – identify items to feature in seeded reviews and influencer outreach and develop action plans for low rated items
• Perform analysis for SKU rationalization and productivity at the item level and make a recommendation on go-forward plan
• Participate in S&OP process to ensure smooth product transitions, minimize inventory exposure and ensure high order fill rates.
• Sales call, trade show and global showroom support
• New Hire Training/onboarding

MUST HAVE:

• 5+ years of experience in Category Line and Business Management with a CPG company is required
• Must have general knowledge of manufacturing materials, product development processes and costs in a CPG environment.
• Familiarity with the online and brick & mortar retail landscape is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience managing the product P&L is required.

Education & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, finance or other related field or equivalent work experience is required.
• Ability to execute and excel in high-paced organization
• Ability to deal with changing environments, tight timelines and multiple priorities
• Outstanding oral and presentation-based communication skills
• Must be proficient in PowerPoint, Excel and Word

Confidential