Category Manager, Strategy

Build a Better Career with MSC

Serving customers and our community starts with the best people doing their best work. That is precisely what we have created at MSC Industrial Supply Co. We are a leading North American distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services. We offer more than 2 million products and have over 80 years of experience across dozens of industries.

We aim to execute our Built to Make You Better brand promise for all our stakeholders, including our associates.

Requisition

Employment Type:

Full Time

Job Category:
Supply Chain

Work Location:

Davidson, NC (CSC)

The Category Strategy Manager is responsible for executing the Category strategy through implementation of tactics, assessing results, and adapting based upon outcomes. Implementation activities can be grouped in four major disciplines: strategy management, vendor relationships, category marketing, and cross-functional collaboration. Key activities include key vendor relationship management and negotiation, product line value proposition, and annual tactics planning.

Product Line Ownership:

• Ownership of all suppliers within assigned product line(s)
• Responsible for population of suppliers that make up sales of assigned product line(s)
• Resolves conflict with internal partners or external suppliers or escalates to next leadership level
• Fosters the MSC culture in the department and throughout the company to ensure fulfillment of MSC's vision and unity of purpose
• Participation in special projects and performs additional duties as required
• Manage day‑to‑day activities of product line (e.g., forecasting, inventory monitoring, pricing, and supplier performance)

Category Strategy:

• Provides supporting category and industry expertise, data, and insights for product lines to define the strategy for the category using an 8‑step process:
  Define Category, Assess Role of Category, Assess Category Performance, Set Objectives and Targets, Devise Strategy, Set Tactics, Implement Tactics, Review and Adapt

Tactics Planning and Implementation:

• Participates in annual planning process; creates customer solutions for assigned product lines and leads execution in partnership with sales
• Provides feedback and collaborates with the Category Operations team to continually improve processes
• Participates in cross‑function initiatives to drive the business, serving as the SME for the assigned product lines
• Incorporates change management as the strategy evolves
• Helps execute cross‑functional plans for assigned product lines incorporating sales, marketing, supply chain, and any other necessary key functions

Vendor Management:

• Negotiates with and manages key suppliers; builds strategic growth plans and aligns goals with key strategic partners
• Resolves contract‑specific conflicts
• Articulates product line value propositions and whitespace opportunities
• Manages product, brand, and vendor rationalization
• Collaborates with the Category Operations team to implement pricing strategy

Review Results:

• Monitors product line contribution margin (sales, cost, coop negotiation, supply chain opportunities)
• Identifies and leads execution of actions to drive growth
• Prepares thorough vendor performance reviews

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field;
  Master’s Level preferred
• Minimum of five years of industry experience in distribution, supplier management and negotiations, business development, distribution, product management, marketing or merchandising management, or supply chain
• Ability to manage cross‑functional initiatives required
• Experience managing associates preferred
• MS Office proficiency required

• Strong execution focus and drive for results
• Prioritizes deliverables and allocates resources appropriately
• Ability to remain focused and make decisions through times of ambiguity
• Solid business acumen, including key financial targets, and knowledge of distribution process
• Strong customer focus and understanding of their needs and expectations; understands market direction and trends
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and work to…