What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager position at Hinton Transportation Investments Inc.?
Job Overview
The Category Manager will be responsible for managing a category of products to maximize total profitability for the company. The role focuses on optimizing category profitability, driving program savings, developing and executing category strategies, and establishing strong vendor partnerships. The Category Manager will play a key role in aligning inventory management with business objectives, ensuring competitive pricing, and fostering innovation within the category.
Responsibilities and Duties
Category Strategy and Performance
- Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with company objectives.
- Understand the category assigned market conditions including, size, suppliers, customers, government regulations, new innovations, product differentiation, threats and opportunities.
- Responsible for understanding customer expectations and requirements.
- Responsible for communicating and understanding the supplier expectations and requirements.
- Ensure vendor and customer feedback is integrated into category strategies to drive satisfaction and product improvement.
- Report on KPI performance as established by the Vice President of Category and Vendor Management.
- Create the training plan and material for training the sales staff on the category assigned. This includes coordinating training events with tests for understanding.
Inventory Management
- Establish inventory targets in line with the total inventory targets established by the Vice President of Category and Vendor Management.
- Oversee inventory levels, ensuring appropriate stock to meet demand while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
- Coordinate with sales and forecasting to direct the vendor managers on updating demand planning tools and measure forecasting accuracy.
Category Promotion
- Manage and report on product rebate programs and Marketing rebate programs.
- Manage and maintain early pay programs with specific vendors.
- Develop, manage and promulgate product specials and promotional programs to achieve company goals.
- Responsible for product presentation in catalogs and e-commerce sites.
Category Profitability
- Maintain current skills in negotiations and optimizing the company’s market position within the assigned category.
- Responsible for negotiating pricing, terms, product offerings, rebates, specials and discounts.
- Work with finance to create and implement strategies to improve purchasing efficiency and cost savings.
Industry Representation and Networking
- Represent the company at relevant trade shows to stay updated on market trends, product innovations and industry standards.
- Actively network with new and existing vendors to enhance product offerings and strengthen supply chains.
- Conduct regular visits to the top 10 key vendors and customers in the assigned category, to strengthen relationships, assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in business or related field, or industry experience required.
- Five or more years of experience in category management, procurement, or supply chain required.
- Strong negotiation skills and a track record of driving cost savings.
- Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
- Knowledge of inventory management principles and best practices.
- Strong communication skills inside and outside the company, both written and verbal.
- Strong leadership skills or potential.
Physical Requirements
- Full-time in office position
- Travel required around 25% - 40%
- Must be able to lift/carry 5 lbs frequently
- Must be able to lift/carry 25 lbs occasionally
- Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs infrequently
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
