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Category Manager job description

A Category Manager is responsible for analyzing industry and consumer trends, developing long-term strategies for product categories, and managing relationships with vendors. They maximize consumer appeal through pricing, promotion, and product range management. Effective communication and a strong understanding of marketing and sales principles are essential.

Nikoletta Bika
Nikoletta Bika

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.

Refreshed on

June 9, 2023

Reviewed by

Eftychia Karavelaki

Senior Recruitment Manager

This Category Manager job description template is optimized for posting on online job boards or careers pages and easy to customize for your company.

What is a Category Manager?

A Category Manager is a professional responsible for managing a specific group or category of products within a company. They analyze industry and consumer trends, develop strategies, and oversee pricing, promotion, and product range management to maximize sales and profitability.

What does a Category Manager do?

A Category Manager analyzes data and insights to identify industry and consumer trends, devises long-term strategies for product categories, develops exit strategies for unsuccessful products, fosters relationships with vendors, determines product positioning, collaborates with marketing teams, and forecasts product demand. They are responsible for the overall management and profitability of a specific product category within a company.

Category Manager responsibilities include:

  • Analyzing data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends
  • Devising long-term development strategies for product categories
  • Developing exit strategies for unsuccessful products

category manager job description

Job brief

We are looking for a Category Manager to manage a group or category of products for our company. You will be the one responsible for the pricing and overall promotion of a product category to maximize consumer appeal. Relationships with vendors and product range management will also be part of your duties.

An excellent category manager must have extensive experience in understanding consumer needs and the retail environment. They must have a commercial mindset and full comprehension of marketing and sales principles. Exceptional communication skills are also key for category managers.

The goal is to increase sales and profitability of business to drive sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends
  • Devise long-term development strategies for product categories
  • Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products
  • Foster trust relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services
  • Place appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands
  • Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility
  • Liaise with marketing teams to determine competitive pricing and promotional activities of a product category
  • Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories
  • Make forecasts for product demand to ensure the sustainability of inventory
  • Assume responsibility of budget development and revenue for category

Requirements and skills

  • Proven experience as category manager or similar role
  • Solid knowledge of category management, marketing and sales principles
  • Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods
  • Proficient in MS Office
  • An analytical mind with a strategic ability
  • Excellent communication and people skills
  • BSc/BA in business administration, marketing or related field

Frequently asked questions

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