What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Category Manager - Remote/Hybrid position at PCNA?
The Associate Category Manager will be responsible for ownership and accountability of a category or categories. This position is responsible for having a broad knowledge of merchandising. The role of the Associate Category Manager is far from one dimensional. This position undertakes a wide range of tasks, like assisting category managers or senior category managers, develop category level plans that align with the strategic initiatives of the company, communicate product launches, and coordination and management of priorities of the assigned categories of responsibility to support growth and sales performance for each business unit..
A successful candidate will have contagious enthusiasm, a passion for merchandising and product development, and an excitement for partnering with the business to achieve strategic objectives. This is an internal and external facing role and requires a high level of subject matter knowledge as well as a customer service orientation.
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
- Develops and manages Category level plans that dovetail with Company’s strategic and financial direction ensuring SKU’s are “PO Ready” and that margin targets and investment goals are achieved. This is done in conjunction and approval of the Category Director.
- Works closely and assists a category manager, or senior manager, with development plans according to the strategic goals of the category and company.
- Drives Category Sales (Growth and Volume) and margin targets for appointed categories.
- Manages the life cycle of the full SKU offering in each category enhancing SKU productivity and minimizing obsolete inventory exposure based on the strategy set by the category director.
- Communicates and coordinates all phases of the development cycle as applies to duties and product development time and action of the product launch. This includes and supports product design and development through catalog launch and delivery.
- Analyzes and reports on sales, competitors, and market trends. React to these trends and apply the findings to development plans.
- Engages Operations Planning Team on all new initiatives.
- Develops and execute training/sales tools to assist sales force with information on new and existing product lines.
- Communicates to Overseas Merchandisers design PDFs and revisions, FOB targets and distributor pricing, materials, colors, packaging, production time, ETD’s, maker minimums, testing/engineering - concerns/solutions and sample follow-up as applies to the product development launch.
- Closely collaborates with marketing team on effectively bringing new product to market and maximize marketing opportunities with existing product for both brands Bulletline and Leed’s.
- Coordinates with Compliance manager on HTS information and customs compliance on current product development launch and inline concerns for Leed’s and Bulletline.
- Coordinates with engineering and production control on all product testing/decorating approvals and fixture approvals of new products for Bulletline and Leed’s. Communicate approvals and or concerns/solutions to Overseas Merchant Team for both brands.
- Manages profitability of a category with new product launches by analyzing target pricing and target gross margin. Also works with sourcing in managing inline product profitability by managing FOB costs and sourcing strategies.
- Researches and reviews by category/item to ensure that pricing and trend positioning of categories and items are consistent with Leed’s and Bulletline Brand Strategy.
- Presents new product strategies and feature-benefits to large sales oriented audience
- Adheres to product launch timeline and action plans.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
- Strong management and leadership skills
- Strong product positioning and trend research
- Strong verbal, written and, presentation skills
- Must have strong analytical skill set and ability to effectively analyze sales data
- Must have exceptional organizational skills
- Exhibit high levels of flexibility and professionalism in extremely fast-paced environment
- Ability to influence and work through cross-functional teams without formal authority.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, merchandising, or related field.
- Minimum, 2-5 years’ experience in product development or category management preferred, or a related field such as planning, merchandising, buying, or brand management.
- Experience in target customer and product trends
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Domestic travel required, international* travel if needed.
International Travel 2x per year.
- international travel on pause during pandemic for team member safety.
Salary : $67,200 - $85,100
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