Associate Manager, Category Development

Job Description

Staples is business to business. You're what binds us together.

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers' needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We're inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more.

The Associate Manager, Category Development turns customer, competitive, financial, and market insights into actionable product and portfolio recommendations that drive growth, profitability, and customer value.

This role partners across Merchandising, Finance, Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, and other teams to build fact-based business cases, identify category opportunities, and help bring meaningful product innovation to market.

What you will be doing:

• Evaluate assortment performance, customer demand, profitability, and portfolio productivity to identify growth opportunities.

• Develop business cases for new products, product renovations, and portfolio opportunities, including financial impact, risks, and assumptions.

• Assess customer needs, competitive gaps, market trends, and category growth potential, then translate insights into clear recommendations.

• Create product briefs and customer requirements, recommend positioning and value propositions, and support product development decisions.

• Present recommendations and business cases to Merchandising leaders and support category reviews and annual planning discussions.

• Partner across Finance, Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, and other teams to refine forecasts and advance initiatives.

• Independently manage multiple analyses and projects while resolving analytical and operational issues.

• Lead smaller category development initiatives and project teams while supporting less experienced team members.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn complex data into actionable recommendations.

• Strong business and financial acumen with a customer-focused, results-oriented mindset.

• Effective collaboration, relationship-building, and influencing skills.

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Initiative, accountability, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

What's needed:
Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Finance, Analytics, or equivalent work experience.

• 5+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, product management, strategy, business analytics, finance, or a related field.

• Experience developing business cases, financial analyses, or product recommendations.

• Experience analyzing customer, market, competitive, and/or financial data to support business decisions.

• Experience presenting recommendations and analytical findings to business stakeholders.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and business reporting tools.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Experience partnering with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in retail, eCommerce, consumer products, private brand, or category management environments.

• Experience building financial models, forecasts, and investment analyses.

• Experience using customer research, market intelligence, and competitive analysis tools.

• Experience leading project teams or coordinating cross-functional initiatives.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups

• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)

• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.