Use this Category Manager job description template to attract qualified candidates who can manage product categories, analyze market trends, and drive revenue growth.
A Category Manager is responsible for managing and optimizing a specific group of products within a company. They analyze consumer behavior, monitor market trends, develop pricing strategies, and work with suppliers to ensure maximum profitability and customer satisfaction.
A Category Manager focuses on growing and optimizing product categories through strategy, analytics, and supplier partnerships. Their key responsibilities include:
- Managing product categories and developing category strategies.
- Analyzing sales data, customer behavior, and market trends.
- Negotiating with vendors to secure the best pricing and terms.
- Collaborating with marketing and operations teams to drive category performance.
- Monitoring inventory levels and ensuring product availability.
Category Manager Job Description Template
We are looking for a strategic and data-driven Category Manager to oversee product categories and maximize profitability. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, vendor negotiation experience, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior. If you excel in category planning, pricing strategies, and building supplier relationships, we’d love to hear from you!
Roles & Responsibilities
- Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales and profit goals.
- Analyze sales performance, pricing trends, market data, and customer insights.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and negotiate pricing, terms, and promotions.
- Identify market gaps and recommend new product opportunities.
- Manage category pricing, promotions, and product assortment.
- Collaborate with marketing teams to develop category-specific campaigns.
- Monitor and optimize inventory levels, stock rotation, and product availability.
- Conduct competitor analysis to stay ahead of category trends.
- Evaluate category performance and prepare regular reports for management.
- Work with supply chain teams to ensure smooth and timely product delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement in category processes and profitability.
Requirements & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
- Proven experience as a Category Manager, Merchandiser, or similar role.
- Strong knowledge of category management, pricing strategies, and retail analytics.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Excel, data analytics tools, and inventory management software.
- Ability to interpret data and develop actionable insights.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities.
- Understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics.
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
Who do Category Managers report to?
Category Managers typically report to:
- Head of Merchandising
- Director of Category Management
- Product Manager
- Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Post this on job boards and career pages to reach professionals skilled in merchandising, pricing strategy, and vendor management. Feel free to customize this based on your company’s needs. Similar job titles include Merchandising Manager, Product Category Lead, and Retail Category Specialist.
How to Assess Category Manager Skills Effectively
Candidates may list category management experience on their resumes, but assessing their actual ability to manage product categories, analyze market trends, and optimize profitability before the interview is crucial. A structured Category Manager assessment ensures you hire professionals who can make data-driven decisions, improve assortment performance, and strengthen vendor relationships.
Here’s how you can assess Category Manager proficiency effectively with WeCP:
- Market & Consumer Analysis – Test candidates on their ability to analyze sales trends, study competitor activity, and understand customer buying behavior.
- Category Strategy & Planning – Evaluate their skills in creating category plans, setting pricing strategies, and optimizing product assortments.
- Vendor Negotiation & Relationship Management – Assess their capability to negotiate contracts, manage supplier performance, and build strong vendor partnerships.
- Forecasting & Demand Planning – Check their proficiency in forecasting demand, planning inventory, and reducing stockouts or overstock situations.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making – Ensure they can interpret large datasets, work with analytics tools, and make insights-driven recommendations.
With WeCP’s Category Manager assessments, you can efficiently filter out underqualified candidates, streamline hiring, and ensure you bring in professionals who can maximize category profitability, drive strategic growth, and enhance overall business performance.
