Category Manager

Reports To: Executive Vice President

Location: Remote | Full Time

Position Overview

The Category Manager is responsible for executing and managing Primera’s supplier category strategies, rebate programs, group buying initiatives, and related supplier programs.

This role turns supplier and category strategy into organized, measurable results that drive member value, supplier performance, and cooperative growth. The Category Manager ensures programs are executed accurately, data is reliable, and performance is visible across assigned categories and suppliers.

Through disciplined execution and performance visibility, this role contributes insights and recommendations that inform category and supplier strategy.

Working closely with the EVP, cross-functional teams, Supply Partners and Member-Owners, this position supports Primera’s mission.

Role Focus

This is an execution-driven category role.

Execution is the primary responsibility. Strategic contribution is expected through analysis, pattern recognition, and recommendation, not through ownership of strategy development.

Success requires strong ownership, analytical discipline, and operational follow-through. As trust and familiarity grow, the role increasingly influences supplier and category decisions through data-driven insight and execution credibility.

Key Responsibilities

Category & Supplier Program Execution

• Manage day-to-day execution of assigned supplier categories and programs
• Partner with the EVP of Supplier Relations and suppliers to implement initiatives that drive volume, adoption, and rebate achievement
• Ensure category initiatives align with cooperative priorities and performance goals
• Identify performance trends and execution constraints that inform future category and supplier decisions

Rebate Program Management

• Own execution and tracking of supplier rebate programs, including tier structures, forecasts, and performance
• Coordinate with Finance to support accurate reconciliation and timely rebate processing
• Maintain organized records of supplier agreements, rebate documentation, and historical performance

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Monitor category and supplier performance against rebate tiers, margin objectives, and benchmarks
• Maintain performance trackers, dashboards, and scorecards in collaboration with data partners
• Translate execution data into clear insights and recommendations to support EVP-led strategic decisions
• Surface trends, risks, and opportunities early with context and proposed actions

Group Buying, Exclusive & Private Label Support

• Support execution of group buying initiatives, including supplier coordination, participation tracking, and reporting
• Assist with evaluation and analysis of private label and exclusive buying opportunities in collaboration with leadership
• Track ROI, participation, and performance outcomes tied to these initiatives

Supplier Communication & Coordination

• Serve as a primary point of contact for program-level supplier communications
• Coordinate supplier documentation including contracts, rebate grids, sponsorship deliverables, and pricing files
• Support supplier performance reviews with clean data, execution insight, and accountability context

Operational Excellence & Process Support

• Support development and maintenance of SOPs related to category management, rebates, and supplier programs
• Maintain organized systems for timelines, deliverables, and documentation
• Contribute to continuous improvement of workflows and execution processes to reduce errors and rework

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing or a related field preferred.
• Relevant experience in category management, supplier programs, purchasing, rebates, or execution-focused roles.
• Demonstrated experience owning complex programs, managing supplier or category performance, and delivering measurable outcomes may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
• Experience in cooperatives, distribution, or complex supplier environments strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the turf, ornamental, or specialty green industry is a plus.