Category Manager

Category Manager

Responsible for developing and promoting a compelling assortment that drives sales, margin and differentiation in the heavy‑duty truck and trailer parts industry.

• Strategy and Planning
  • Partner with subject‑matter experts and suppliers to conduct industry and competitive analysis to understand customer needs and develop near‑ and long‑term strategies for assigned categories.
  • Lead periodic, cross‑functional line reviews that define assortment, marketing, sourcing, pricing, and supply strategies that drive sales and increase overall margins.
  • Leverage sales trends, spend analytics, external market intelligence, and competitive information to enable fact‑based decision making.
• Product Lifecycle
  • Accountable for full lifecycle management and serve as industry expert in your category.
  • Own the product category from cradle to grave, partnering with suppliers or internal resources to develop and produce innovative products and develop a competitive strategy.
  • Travel to manufacturing facilities as necessary to understand supplier processes and capabilities.
  • Engage with Marketing & Communications to ensure that field sales force and end customers are aware of product offerings.
• Supplier Management
  • Own relationships with suppliers, driving negotiations and partnership to optimize product offering.
  • Ensure all legal documents are in place (e.g., NDA, supplier agreement). Lead the RFP process, bid analysis and review, negotiations, and supplier selection decision.
  • Ensure suppliers are performing to contracted service levels; identify and resolve risk and supply issues.

• Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of equivalent experience preferred.

• 4+ years of experience with category management including product line reviews, planning, and product specification across a series of categories (or) 4+ years of experience in heavy‑duty parts sales and/or management.
• Ability to review and analyze data, business KPIs and supplier performance reporting.
• Experience integrating people and processes with systems including ERP and POS applications.
• Facilitation of product pricing and marketing initiatives; ability to make fact‑based decisions and naturally seek to leverage sales data, spend analytics, and competitive intelligence.
• A flexible, dynamic, self‑demanding and proactive individual; able to motivate self and others; natural bias for action and ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment.

• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and track record for capturing value.
• Ability to engage suppliers to improve product line performance and plan for future product line expansion.
• Ability to communicate across multiple departments to gain consensus on projects and goals.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with executive audience, internal stakeholders, and external audiences.
• Fluent with MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, BI, etc.) with analytical experience.

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines, filing cabinets) and may require exposure to warehouse areas where personal protective equipment (steel‑toed shoes, safety glasses) may be necessary. The primary environment is typical office with ambient temperature and lighting.

Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials. Occasional lifting of items up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.