Category Manager

Position Summary

Manager, Category

* This role is hybrid. On-site Tuesday-Thursday, with work from home Monday and Friday.

Musician’s Friend is being repositioned as THE outlet channel for the Musical Instrument Industry. We are seeking dynamic buyers to help craft and execute the growth strategy for this exciting channel of business. We see exponential growth as we reposition and accelerate this channel.

The purpose of this job is to manage the execution and strategic aspect of assigned categories, including but not limited to sales and margin, product assortment, product promotions, product inventory levels, vendor relationships, and category analysis. Carries out major assignments in conducting the operations of the business to ensure policies and procedures are practiced.

• Assortment selection and planning to specific sales, margin, and inventory goals.
• Manage vendor relationships including negotiating pricing, delivery time, and payment terms.
• Coordinate product launches across appropriate properties
• Promotional, clearance, and markdown pricing
• Work with vendors to develop exclusive products for sale through retail outlets, developing promotional opportunities with vendors to increase revenue.
• Coordinate everyday marketing efforts with Digital Marketing and Print advertising to drive overall success.
• Monitor and report on competitor price, promotion, assortment, and presentation tactics
• Perform weekly, monthly, and quarterly category analysis and external market analysis.
• Project future sales velocity based on market and product category trends.
• Analyze consumer purchasing behavior and merchandise according to consumer purchasing trends.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree or 6 years of relevant work experience (in addition to degree or years of previous experience), preferably in a Musical Instrument environment.
• 2 years of experience in merchandising, retail, and/or category management
• 2 years leading teams and/or supervisory experience.
• Valid state driver’s license and automotive insurance
• Ability to acquire work/travel documents (i.e., passport and visa) as required by various countries.
• Advanced knowledge of products found in the assigned Musical Instrument category.
• Skilled proficiency with Microsoft Excel (V-lookups, formulas, filtering, sorting, formatting)
• Skilled knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

Pay Rate: $110,000- $130,000/yr depending on background and experience. This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance.

The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job-related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening.

You can request a reasonable accommodation by sending an email to