Overview As Category Leader, you own end-to-end assortment, financials, and category strategy for a major category. You work with cross-functional support teams to deliver data-driven decisions aligned with local needs. You influence pricing, promotions, and assortment while maintaining budgets and KPIs across channels. You collaborate with vendors and internal brands to shape a unified customer experience. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution to drive category growth and value.
Responsibilities- Develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies to deliver a cohesive customer experience across brick-and-mortar, digital, and extended channels
- Analyze market trends, share, and competition; escalate changes and initiatives to relevant stakeholders
- Manage full product life-cycle across 4Ps, including add/deletes and cross-functional meetings
- Build assortment using vendor data, Our Brands, and division input; manage segmentation and local assortment needs
- Oversee plan-o-gram process, timelines, placement, and flow to meet guidelines
- Monitor SKU performance and adjust assortment to meet financial and strategic goals
- Maintain category budgets, forecasts, and plans; assess contribution to enterprise and division goals
- Define price and category architecture; participate in pricing programs and respond to competitor moves with Pricing
- Lead promotional strategy and A/B tests for major promos; select products and set promo guardrails
- Oversee end-to-end product flow and coordinate with stores/replenishment during supply issues
- Manage strategic vendor relationships, negotiate prices, communicate priorities, and track industry trends
- Coach and develop direct reports; conduct performance reviews and provide feedback
- Perform essential job functions with or without accommodations
Key requirements- 3+ years in replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Strong organization, multi-tasking, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to coach and train others
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- coaching and training
- clear communication
- attention to detail
- Microsoft Office
- NEXT
- Stratum
