CATEGORY MANAGER

Description

Hollywood Feed was established in the 1950s, in Memphis, TN, as a pet supply store with friendly and knowledgeable service. More than half a century later, our love for pets is who we are today. Our associates are family and the face of each location. We care about each other, our pets, and our customers. Come and experience the passion and drive that makes Hollywood Feed what it is today.

Job Summary

This position reports directly to the Senior Category Manager under the Merchandising & Marketing Department. The Category Manager will be responsible for overseeing specific product categories from strategy development to execution. This role requires a keen understanding of consumer behavior, excellent communication and analytical skills, and the ability to drive business growth through effective category management strategies. 

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with company objectives and consumer needs. Identify growth opportunities, product assortments, pricing strategies, and promotional plans to drive category performance.
• Vendor Management: Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure competitive pricing, optimal product quality, and timely delivery. Negotiate contracts, terms, and agreements to maximize value and mitigate risks.
• Assortment Planning: Determine the optimal product assortment for the categories based on market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape. Collaborate with teams to select and curate products that meet customer demand and drive sales.
• Inventory Management: Work closely with replenishment analysts and supply chain teams to manage stock levels, minimize out-of-stocks, and reduce excess inventory. Analyze sales data and forecasts to optimize inventory turnover and improve profitability.
• Promotional Planning: Develop and execute promotional campaigns and events to drive traffic, increase sales, and enhance brand visibility within the categories. Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies as needed to maximize ROI.
• Market Analysis: Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, consumer preferences, and competitive threats within the categories. Stay informed about industry developments and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.
• Financial Analysis: Monitor category performance against key metrics such as sales, margins, and profitability. Identify opportunities for cost savings, revenue growth, and margin improvement through data-driven analysis and insights and prepare and present regular reports.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, operations, accounting, and supply chain to align category strategies with overall business objectives. Communicate effectively to ensure alignment and collaboration across departments. 
• Support & Training: Prepare and present information and educational materials on categories to management and store employees to further product knowledge and understanding through live and recorded video settings. Answer support tickets, Q&A sessions, and communicate category changes and information as needed.

Qualifications

Requirements & Qualifications

• This position requires 45 - 50 hours/week in our Memphis office and may require some weekend and evening availability.
• Ability to think strategically, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proactive approach and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.
• Passion for problem solving, organization, and the betterment of the lives of pets through products.
• This position requires less than 25% travel to visit facilities, trade shows, and vendors.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s in a related field preferred with 3 years experience or equivalent of 3-5 years experience in a similar role preferably in the retail industry.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, data analysis tools, and category management software.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and achieving KPIs.

Preferred Experience

• Fundamental knowledge of the pet industry, pet nutrition, and retail operations.
• Familiarity with inventory management software is preferred.
• Experience using PowerBI, Sisense, or similar for reporting.
• Comfort with presenting reports in person and on camera and engaging in a question and answer type setting.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer in an office setting.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds at times and perform merchandising-related tasks in the distribution center.

The above is designed to describe the general nature and scope of the job and is not an exhaustive listing of all duties, expectations, or tasks and should not be taken as such.

Hollywood Feed is an Equal Opportunity Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.