ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Planogram decisions get made weekly. So do assortment calls, promotion schedules, and shelf-space negotiations with retail buyers - and when those decisions lack data, category performance suffers visibly in scan results and quarterly reviews. The Associate Category Manager owns the analytical and commercial work that keeps a CPG manufacturer's assigned categories growing at retail, translating syndicated POS data and shopper panel inputs into category strategies that retailers actually act on. Sitting inside a commercial or sales organization, this role answers to a Category Manager or Director and is evaluated on the strength of its retailer relationships and the quality of its sell stories.

As the Associate Category Manager, you analyze syndicated market data, develop planogram recommendations, and build category sell stories that influence retailer assortment and promotional decisions within an FMCG manufacturer environment. You work within a category management or sales operations team, supporting senior category leads and partnering daily with brand, trade marketing, and retail account contacts to translate shopper insights into measurable category growth.

Career Impact: Mastering syndicated POS and household panel analysis at the retailer-manufacturer interface builds a competency set that Category Manager and Senior Category Manager roles require, making this position a recognized stepping stone in CPG commercial careers.

Business Impact: The sell stories and planogram recommendations produced in this role directly influence how retail buyers allocate shelf space and promotional budgets across a manufacturer's assigned categories, shaping volume and gross margin outcomes quarter over quarter.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to quarterly business reviews, trade promotion ROI analysis, and cross-functional account planning expands both analytical depth and commercial credibility, opening paths toward Category Manager, Trade Marketing Manager, or Shopper Insights leadership roles.

• Analyze syndicated POS and household panel data to identify category performance gaps and growth opportunities for assigned retail accounts.
• Develop planogram recommendations and assortment strategies that reflect shopper behavior, shelf space constraints, and retailer format requirements.
• Build and present category sell stories to retail buyers, using scan data and shopper insights to support new item listings and promotional programs.
• Lead quarterly business reviews with retail account teams, summarizing category performance and recommending forward-looking action plans.
• Monitor trade promotion effectiveness, pricing competitiveness, and display activity to inform ongoing merchandising decisions.
• Collaborate with brand, trade marketing, and sales teams to align category strategies with annual commercial plans and NPD launch timelines.
• Support the development of monthly and quarterly category reporting packages for internal leadership and external retail stakeholders.
• Negotiate vendor terms, review buying contracts, and manage category assortment changes in coordination with sourcing and supply chain partners.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of category management, merchandising, or commercial analytics experience, with direct exposure to retail buyer relationships or CPG trade environments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret syndicated retail data, including POS scan data and household panel measures, to generate actionable insights.
• Working knowledge of planogram development principles, including space measurement, shelf flow, and cross-category adjacency planning.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and presentation software sufficient to build retailer-ready category analysis and executive-level sell stories.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data-backed recommendations to both internal stakeholders and external retail buyers.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under deadline pressure, maintaining accuracy and follow-through across competing priorities.
• Understanding of P&L fundamentals including gross margin, COGS, volume incentives, and trade spend ROI.

• Experience working within a CPG manufacturer on a named retail account team, such as a grocery, drug, or mass channel customer.
• Familiarity with space planning methodology and the ability to build or review planograms independently to support assortment recommendations.
• Exposure to trade promotion planning, promotional ROI evaluation, or pricing strategy within an FMCG commercial function.
• Advanced analytical skills including the ability to construct opportunity gap analyses, market share models, or custom shopper segmentations from raw syndicated exports.

• Category volume and dollar share growth within assigned retail accounts, measured quarterly against prior year and plan.
• Planogram acceptance rate, reflecting how frequently retailer buyers adopt submitted assortment or shelf recommendations.
• Sell story conversion rate, measured by new item listings or promotional programs approved following category presentations.
• Trade promotion ROI, tracking return on promotional spend across assigned categories and retail customers.
• Reporting accuracy and on-time delivery rate for monthly and quarterly category intelligence packages provided to internal and external stakeholders.
• Typical tools: syndicated retail data platforms (commonly IRI or Nielsen); space planning software (commonly JDA or Apollo).

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience and market.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 10 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Uncommon at this level; occasional stock purchase plan eligibility.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; FSA or HSA options typically included.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard company holidays.
• Common Perks: Mileage or travel reimbursement for retailer visits; professional development budget for category management training or certification.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the workplace upon request. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment in this role is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The Associate Category Manager owns category planning and performance for assigned departments at Walgreens, developing sales objectives, negotiating buying contracts, and recommending merchandising programs to division leadership. Reporting to the DMM and CM, this role delivers market-aligned pricing and assortment strategies by analyzing competitive data and building category insights in partnership with Store Experience and merchandise planning teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, and recommends sales, gross profit level, inventory control, and merchandise turnover objectives for assigned departments and items.
• Develops and recommends merchandising, display, advertising, distribution, packaging, and sales plans and programs for assigned items and merchandise departments.
• Negotiates buying contracts on categories or subsets of categories as determined by the DMM or CM.
• Analyzes market, competitive, and customer perception data, and provides recommendations to the DMM and CM regarding price levels.
• Reviews and analyzes historical and YTD category performance data and recommends performance goals for categories.
• Works closely with Store Experience and merchandise planning to build and review category insights and recommend programs to division leadership.
• Develops an understanding of Walgreens and WBA private brands, including assortment, sales forecasts, gross profit level, and merchandising and promotional programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years' experience in retail, procurement/purchasing, merchandising, vendor relations, pharmacy operations, or retail marketing; or a high school diploma/GED and at least 4 years of such experience.
• At least 2 years of experience developing programs in merchandising, vendor relations, and marketing in the retail business; experience working with P&L concepts including revenue, COGS, gross profit margin, operating expenses, and income.
• Knowledge of customer-centric retailing principles and the analytics of customer purchase behavior.
• Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Excel (e.g., SUM function, borders, charts, sorting, headers, print scaling).
• Basic skill level in Microsoft PowerPoint (e.g., inserting, rearranging, and deleting slides, adding and editing text, inserting tables, running slide shows).
• Basic level skill in Microsoft Word (e.g., cutting, pasting, aligning text, sorting, inserting bullets and pictures, track changes, spell check, print functions).

Embedded within the KDP category management function, the Associate Category Manager builds the Albertsons retail partnership by synthesizing multiple data sources into actionable insights and consultative category guidance across beverage categories. Working closely with Category Managers, Sales Directors, and local selling teams under the Director of Category Management, this role delivers integrated consumer and marketplace intelligence that enables market-leading growth.

Core Functions

• Lead category management reporting, trend analysis, customized reports, and special project work for the KDP cross-functional team and Albertsons key stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of value-added tools that streamline analytics and overall efficiency across the Albertsons cross-functional team.
• Support the planning and execution of planogram and assortment reviews for Albertsons.
• Deliver fully integrated consumer, shopper, category, and marketplace insights and trends to guide Albertsons strategic choices and tactical executions.
• Leverage critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize and anticipate issues and opportunities, and translate insights into retail action.
• Work closely with the Total Grocery Category Management team to establish, lead, and maintain performance management routines including reporting cadences, macro performance assessments, and opportunity gap analysis.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of 4 years of business experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) with a focus on category management and/or business analytics; experience with syndicated data including IRI, Nielsen, Symphony Retail AI (EYC), and Numerator.
• Experience with JDA Space Planning software; Albertsons experience is a plus.
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement solutions.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills to operate in a highly accountable and fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication skills - verbal, written, and presentation; capability to develop and influence strategies and tactics at both retailer and manufacturer level.

Reporting to category leadership, the Associate Category Manager shapes portfolio strategy for the Customer Team by integrating syndicated consumer data, shopper insights, and third-party market trends into actionable category recommendations and retailer-relevant sell stories. Partnering with account sales leads and cross-functional teams, this role strengthens enterprise decision-making and advances category growth within the consumer packaged goods industry.

Primary Duties

• Utilize syndicated consumer and market data to uncover compelling insights.
• Leverage shopper and consumer insights in the development of category strategies and retailer-relevant sell stories.
• Integrate information from many sources and develop actionable insights and recommendations.
• Provide expert analysis and insight to Customer Team members to support optimal decision-making in the marketplace.
• Keep abreast of developments and best practices in category management to improve departmental capabilities and professional competence.
• Participate in account strategic planning processes.
• Act as a strong, clear, objective, and inspiring voice of the enterprise Customer Team.
• Utilize both internal and third-party consumer/market trends and analysis to inform portfolio strategies for the Customer Team.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA a plus.
• 3+ years of Category Management, Insights, or Analytics experience within the consumer packaged goods industry, including 3+ years of experience analyzing and interpreting data.
• Experience with standard data resources and solutions including syndicated POS and Panel data.
• Strong PC skillset including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills with strong thought leadership.
• Strong planning and organizing skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously; collaborative approach working closely with account sales leads, cross-functional teams, and the retailer directly.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact confidently with team members, management, and customers.
• The position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States.

Compensation and Benefits: The expected salary range is $95,000–$110,000; bonus target is 15% of annual salary paid out annually; paid time off including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement; other benefits subject to elections and eligibility include Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, EAP, Insurance, Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and Company Car.

Sitting at the intersection of strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management, the Associate Category Manager leads RFP creation, contract negotiation, and vendor management activities across assigned spend categories in collaboration with United's legal, finance, and Global Sourcing teams. Operating across indirect services, transportation, and related fields, this role delivers cost savings and continuous improvement by translating market intelligence and stakeholder needs into effective procurement strategies.

Duties

• Research current state and future needs, analyze market trends and potential suppliers, and develop detailed plans.
• Drive savings on assigned purchase categories by working with stakeholders and leadership teams while ensuring user needs are met.
• Develop and maintain adequate knowledge in assigned spend categories through relationships with department leaders, suppliers, and market experts.
• Create and manage RFPs, including design, system administration, TCO analysis, supplier evaluation scorecards, and stakeholder communication.
• Redline and negotiate contracts in collaboration with United's legal department, Global Sourcing leadership, and other stakeholder departments.
• Manage business relationships with key internal stakeholders and external suppliers, including contract updates and sharing end-user feedback.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities by leveraging new systems, product/services, and innovative market offerings.
• Participate in vendor management activities, including performance compliance follow-up and resolution of constraints or issues.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of three (3) years' experience in Sourcing, Finance, or a related field; experience in the transportation or airline industry; experience in indirect services sourcing such as BPO, customer contact center services, and/or financial products and services.
• Knowledge and application of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) concepts.
• Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; demonstrated competency managing multiple concurrent projects of various scale.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with third parties; experience acting as a change agent that seeks out and advocates innovative solutions to meet business needs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.

A key member of the Verticals team, the Associate Category Manager leads end-to-end research, planning, and execution of strategic initiatives for the Watches category, monitoring business metrics such as pricing, inventory, and gross merchandise volume to inform decisions and maintain market leadership. Collaborating across Marketing, Legal, and cross-functional groups, this role builds vendor relationships and drives community engagement through tradeshows, activations, and collector meet-ups to grow the luxury division.

Functions

• Own the end-to-end research, planning, and execution of strategic category initiatives aligned to overall category and luxury division goals.
• Lead vertical, horizontal, cultural, and unique community execution as it relates to the Watches category and customers.
• Monitor business metrics including pricing, inventory, discoverability, customer happiness, and gross merchandise volume to inform business decisions.
• Run analysis using Excel, craft stories in PowerPoint, and present data to leadership.
• Partner cross-functionally across multiple groups for major initiatives, with a focus on Marketing.
• Coordinate event planning for tradeshows, activations, and collector meet-ups.
• Manage vendor relationships, including facilitating statements of work with Legal and creating purchase orders.
• Research and track competitor and industry trends to drive future focus areas and maintain market leader position.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of proven experience with an e-commerce luxury or fashion-oriented company; merchandising or startup experience valued.
• Deep insight into the digital sector and the Watches or luxury space, including relationships with key industry players.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills; execution-driven, growth-oriented ownership mentality; strong prioritization abilities with proven follow-through.
• Experience influencing and negotiating with external partners; ability to lead cross-functional coordination.
• Executive-level presentation and communication skills, effective in large and small group settings.

Delivering category growth depends on the Associate Category Manager, who develops plans, leads quarterly business reviews, and leverages shopper insights and planograms to drive strategic product placement and cross-category solutions for customers. Based within the broader Category Leadership team and serving as the key cross-functional liaison, this role translates data and analysis into recommended solutions that advance category objectives across the consumer goods portfolio.

Accountabilities

• Develop and implement plans to achieve growth goals.
• Conduct and lead analysis of category performance and translate insights into succinct takeaways.
• Use planograms to strategize on product placement, including space measurement, shelving, and cross-category opportunities.
• Utilize knowledge of category products, planning, and merchandising to make informed decisions that drive category growth.
• Lead quarterly business reviews with customers and collaborate to drive category solutions.
• Partner with the broader Category Leadership team to develop and achieve category objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to develop strategic and tactical solutions.
• Leverage shopper insights to create plans and presentations, and translate data into recommended solutions and strategic plans.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in consumer goods, preferably in food or other high-velocity impulse categories (FMCG).
• Solid knowledge of syndicated data sources (IRI, Nielsen, NPD, etc.).
• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint; SharePoint experience preferred.
• Exceptional project management abilities, capable of prioritizing and handling multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines; strong presentation and communication skills.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to utilize analytical tools and propose fact-based and strategic solutions; entrepreneurial, action-oriented, with strong business acumen; agile-minded and collaborative.
• 20%–40% travel required, highest during peak season.

As the Associate Category Manager, this role serves as the primary liaison with pharmaceutical manufacturers on policies, contracts, and profitability, generating profit-enhancing opportunities such as deals, rebates, and promotional activities for assigned manufacturers at AmerisourceBergen. The broader Procurement and commercial team relies on this work to maintain favorable manufacturer relationships, resolve trade disputes, and drive increased value through managed contracting programs.

Role Responsibilities

• Works in concert with other Category Managers to serve as the liaison with pharmaceutical manufacturers regarding policies, issues, and profitability.
• Assists in negotiating contracts, establishing sourcing relationships, and managing customer-related programs in the designated category.
• Collaborates with internal departments including Sales & Marketing, Finance, Legal, and other Procurement entities to promote AmerisourceBergen's best interests.
• Assists in managing trade affairs with key strategic manufacturers, including negotiating business agreements and settling disputes.
• Represents and positions AmerisourceBergen favorably with manufacturers and advocates for company interests.
• Generates profit-enhancing opportunities such as deals, rebates, allowances, and promotional activities for assigned manufacturers.
• Assists in managing contracting programs to increase value for both AmerisourceBergen and its customers.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Outstanding knowledge of product and supplier base, product relationships, and industry trends.
• Working knowledge of sales, purchasing, supply chain management, and/or inventory management principles and methodologies.
• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects of diverse scope in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong negotiating, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to deal with confrontational issues in a positive manner.

Associate Category Manager develops channel strategies and customer-tailored solutions for leading brands, reporting to the Manager of Category & Trade Solutions while leading a team of two Sales Analysts and cooperating with sales and marketing teams. Success in the position means delivering profitable annual sales plans, building NPD commercial plans with Marketing, and managing CatMan processes and merchandising agency cooperation across the Polish and European FMCG trade environment.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of two Sales Analysts.
• Support the profitable delivery of the annual sales plan and commercial effectiveness initiatives.
• Work closely with Marketing to build the commercial plan for NPD.
• Lead and manage CatMan processes.
• Create and update periodic category analysis on sales, share development, assortment, retail pricing, and trade promotions effectiveness, and recommend areas of improvement.
• Manage cooperation with merchandising agencies and related budgets.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, or similar area.
• At least 5 years of directly related experience.
• Deep knowledge of the Polish and European trade environment within FMCG.
• Experience in a multinational matrix organizational structure.
• Ability to build a planogram and utilize Nielsen data.
• Strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail.
• Self-starter, innovative and entrepreneurial thinker.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence others with integrity while managing across the organization.
• Very good English and Polish language skills.

The Associate Category Manager produces impactful category analyses and consumer insights across the Beer business, serving as a trusted advisor to Walmart by synthesizing shopper data, scan data, and custom research into clear selling stories in PowerPoint. Reporting into category leadership and engaging internal teammates alongside external customers, this role advances industry growth within assigned areas of responsibility through syndicated data expertise and persuasive stakeholder communication.

What You'll Do

• Build strong relationships with Walmart as a trusted category advisor across all areas of the Beer business.
• Lead, motivate, and drive strong engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate, manage, and prioritize workload across multiple projects.
• Develop impactful category analyses and consumer insights using a range of syndicated and non-syndicated data sources.
• Synthesize learnings from shopper data, scan data, and custom research to create clear and impactful selling stories in PowerPoint.
• Effectively educate internal teammates and external customers on growth opportunities through clear and impactful communications.
• Lead future industry growth in assigned areas of responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or similar field.
• Strong familiarity with syndicated data, software, and measures (IRI, Nielsen, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to manipulate and organize data; familiarity using dashboarding software (Power BI, Qlik, Tableau) and space planning software (JDA, etc.) preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present opportunities and recommendations to external stakeholders persuasively.
• Ability to use large data sets to develop insights and identify and present opportunities.

Reporting to the Director of Sales Operations in Carney's Point, NJ, the Associate Category Manager refines customer intelligence by building sales-ready analytical tools, leading monthly customer intel reports, and developing planogram recommendations across brand and private label portfolios. Partnering with marketing and sales teams, this role identifies retailer and category growth opportunities and trains channel sales specialists in analytics to enable faster, more value-added business decisions.

Scope of Work

• Develop sales-ready tools to support new item and customer meeting initiatives using data and insights to generate persuasive selling stories.
• Lead customer-specific analyses to identify retailer and category growth opportunities.
• Lead monthly customer intel reports that summarize topline takeaways and distill into fact-based, actionable opportunities in conjunction with brand, innovation, and sales teams.
• Drive improvement and utilization of syndicated research tools and capabilities to facilitate faster, more added-value decision making.
• Help develop and train channel sales specialists in analytics.
• Develop and manage value-added monthly/quarterly reporting and tracking packages for the executive team and sales and marketing teams.
• Leverage analytic techniques to identify new ways of tracking and measuring business performance.
• Partner with marketing and sales teams to develop regular and ad hoc reports including sales/share reporting, promotion analysis, pricing studies, financial performance/ROI, and performance trackers.
• Partner with sales and marketing to develop planogram recommendations.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Education & Experience

• BA/BS degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in an analytics role; CPG Food & Beverage industry experience preferred; manufacturer and supplier side experience preferred.
• Expertise in databases such as Nielsen, IRI POS, HH panel, and customer shopper platforms.
• Strong analytical capability including knowledge of primary research, with the ability to identify root causes and construct solutions; strategic capability to see the big picture combined with strong business acumen.
• Strong leadership, initiative, and teamwork skills with the ability to establish vision, influence others, and build collaborative relationships.
• Excellent communication skills including listening, articulating ideas clearly, and delivering compelling presentations.
• Proven ability to develop internal people and external resources.

The Associate Category Manager oversees category operations for the Footwear, Tech, Home, and Gifts categories at GovX, handling vendor inventory coordination, competitive pricing comparisons, and site marketing QA while supporting Category Managers in brand onboarding and performance forecasting. Working closely with finance, vendors, and Accounts Payable, this role ensures accurate product pricing, current inventory availability, and on-plan brand performance across the e-commerce platform.

Job Functions

• Support Category Manager in the Footwear, Tech, Home, and Gifts categories by handling operations for each category, including price change communications with finance and vendors, competitive pricing comparisons, and escalated customer care issues.
• Research price discrepancies from Accounts Payable to determine root causes and validate product pricing.
• Work with vendors to obtain inventory for new product launches and ensure inventory is current and available to sell.
• QA marketing launching on the site to ensure products are available and pricing is accurate.
• Maintain sell-through performance on inventory buys.
• Work with Category Managers to forecast brand performance and track performance weekly to ensure categories meet plan.
• Support the Category Manager in gathering onboarding documents from potential new brands and maintaining an accurate pipeline.
• Price products for promotions based on strategy set by the Category Manager and create projects to ensure GovX always has the latest products, offers, pricing, and marketing from each brand.

Position Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in an office environment performing project-based work; 2–3 years of experience in ecommerce.
• Superior analytical, negotiation, and math skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Analytics; CRM experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong attention to detail with the ability to switch between projects without sacrificing quality and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; solution- and results-oriented, passionate, and mission-driven; comfortable negotiating with brands over the phone on pricing and optimization strategies.

The Associate Category Manager advances category performance by analyzing market trends, collaborating with vendors and internal teams to create marketing campaigns, and building best-in-class planograms that fit various store layouts to achieve sales goals. Supporting the Category Management team across promotions, pricing, and negotiations, this role delivers actionable reports and presentations that guide assortment, merchandising, and promotional budget decisions.

Performance Expectations

• Analyze market trends and industry practices to identify opportunities in sales, units, and margin.
• Collaborate daily with vendors and internal teams to create marketing campaigns, manage promotional budgets, and guide product selection.
• Develop reports and presentations complete with actionable recommendations.
• Learn best practices around Category Management Techniques and Fundamentals.
• Analyze promotions and pricing and coordinate display activities.
• Provide support with negotiations, item assortment, merchandising, promotions, terms, and other initiatives.
• Assist with sales forecasting and pricing products according to guidelines and the competitive environment.
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to create best-in-class planograms to fit various store layouts and achieve sales goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in the MS Office Suite; proficient Excel skills required (advanced formulas, pivot tables, etc.).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to think both strategically and tactically with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, scheduling, time management, and the ability to meet deadlines; exemplary written and oral communication skills; creative thinking.
• Flexible schedule; some travel may be required.

Reporting to the Senior Category Manager, the Associate Category Manager guides the marketing, merchandising, and management of assigned product groups at Topco, developing category goals, analyzing finances, and building sales plans to grow program sales and enhance member company profitability. Partnering with sourcing counterparts, merchandising agencies, and third-party channels, this role manages subordinates, coordinates new member start-up activities, and keeps products aligned with evolving market and consumer trends.

Ownership Areas

• Conceptualize and create goals, objectives, and action plans for product categories to meet member needs and ensure advantageous products and services.
• Analyze assigned program areas to develop marketing strategies and identify business and program growth opportunities.
• Coordinate with the sourcing counterpart to research new program and product opportunities and develop member interest in existing and new programs.
• Employ superior communication skills to establish credibility with members, promote acceptance of new products, and support expansion of market share for private label goods and perishables.
• Develop sales plans to increase member participation and achieve maximum volume incentives to improve member profits.
• Promote increased member participation through pricing, ongoing promotional schedules, and customized promotional activities.
• Analyze market, industry trends, and member needs to keep products and programs aligned with changing conditions, and develop new products with existing or new vendors.
• Analyze department finances and maintain sound financial position by developing operating budgets, forecasts, and controlling expenses.
• Develop and update annual business plans for assigned areas and report progress and relevant issues to senior management.
• Coordinate new member start-up activities and third-party and channel partnerships for assigned programs.
• Manage and develop subordinates through on-the-job training programs, performance appraisals, and recommending promotions and merit raises.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field; Master's degree a plus.
• 7 years of experience in the consumer product goods, retail, or manufacturing industries; retail experience is a plus.
• Creative and conceptual thinker with well-developed analytic skills and proven success in marketing or merchandising.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively and manage and inspire others.
• Ability to use standard business software at an advanced level.
• Familiarity with major sources, trade groups, industry associations, industry practices, quality levels, packaging, and logistics.
• Superior ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels, both orally and in writing, and to present to small and large groups.
• Ability to read and analyze market and industry reports, recognize opportunities for growth and profit, and make sound business decisions.
• Must be willing and able to travel by air and automobile.

Embedded within ZALORA's category team in Kuala Lumpur, the Associate Category Manager executes the business development and growth strategy for an assigned category by growing existing brands, acquiring new ones, and managing a team of Key Account Managers. Working closely with planning, merchandising, marketing, supply chain, legal, and finance, this role drives overall sales volumes and assortment plans through data-driven insights on market trends and customer shopping behavior.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and execute the business development and growth strategy for the category.
• Hire, train, and manage a team of Key Account Managers to help grow and manage the supplier portfolio.
• Develop online merchandising and promotion proposals to achieve sales targets.
• Liaise with internal teams including planning, merchandising, marketing, supply chain, legal, and finance to drive strategy.
• Identify, establish, and grow local and regional strategic partnerships.
• Retain and optimize key account relationships to drive overall sales volumes through pricing competitiveness, assortment, and stock availability.
• Develop assortment plans that support overall category strategy in terms of SKUs and suppliers.
• Use data-driven insights of market data, product trends, and customer shopping trends to assess growth opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in sales, marketing, business, or related fields.
• Minimum 3–4 years of experience in e-commerce, retail, business development, buying, or project management.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to understand root causes of performance and make decisions.
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel; experience in Tableau is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with demonstrated ability to influence others; action- and solution-oriented mindset, comfortable in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong ownership, attention to detail, and passion for improving both customer and seller experience; good team spirit and eagerness to learn.

The Category Manager, Associate builds category expertise and partner relationships within the Zones IT reseller environment, achieving revenue and profitability growth objectives with smaller and emerging partners by creating Partner Marketing Plans and driving margin-enhancing programs across the Sales organization. The partner marketing team relies on this work to secure partner investments, manage MDF Claims, and enable Sales through demand generation, training, customer events, and incentive programs aligned to category growth strategies.

Operational Focus

• Assist Category Manager in setting the go-to-market strategy for the category.
• Review new and emerging partners for potential inclusion as Managed Partners.
• Learn the Zones PPM methodology for Partner Management and Product Marketing.
• Achieve category-specific revenue and profitability growth objectives with smaller and emerging partners.
• Utilize Zones Marketing vehicles to create broad awareness campaigns to drive customer acquisition and development.
• Drive margin-enhancing programs within the Sales organization including Deal Registration, Promotional offers, and Bid Pricing programs.
• Enable Sales through education and demand generation.
• Create Partner Marketing Plans that support category growth strategies by sales segment and vertical market.
• Present marketing plans to partners and secure investments that enable Sales through demand generation, training, customer events, and incentives.
• Effectively manage category assets and key financial metrics including inventory, MDF Claims, and Aged Partner Contribution Receivables.
• Analyze and understand industry trends and articulate opportunities and threats.

Background & Experience

• BA/BS degree or 4+ years of relevant experience; BA/BS in Business, Marketing, IT, or a relevant field preferred.
• 2+ years of strategic account management and relevant industry experience; 2+ years of Zones experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the IT reseller environment and familiarity with partner marketing program mechanics including MDF, rebates, special pricing, and deal registration.
• A solid understanding of IT solutions and a history of creating successful product marketing programs and business plans.
• A working knowledge of sales processes and selling techniques for SMB, mid-market, Enterprise, and public-sector segments.
• Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and nurture relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to address large and diverse audiences; strong Win/Win negotiating skills and solid understanding of key financial metrics and category asset management.

Associate Category Manager crafts category assortment strategies and manages 1-year Category Plans for NWC, negotiating vendor contracts, sourcing products, and completing margin reviews to ensure gross margin expectations align with corporate targets. The work directly supports Supply Chain Analysts and Sales/Operations Managers by coordinating category planning, marketing programs, and new product initiatives across seasonal and ongoing store programs.

Key Deliverables

• Negotiate and source products, costs, rebates, discounts, FOB points, and contracts on behalf of NWC while ensuring vendor quality standards are met.
• Determine and authorize category assortment, pricing, and quantification for seasonal and ongoing store programs.
• Develop and manage 1-year Category Plans inclusive of financial performance goals for sales, gross margin, volume incentives, controllable activity costs, and inventory productivity.
• Complete assortment and margin reviews and pricing strategies to ensure gross margin expectations are met and aligned with corporate targets.
• Work with Supply Chain Analysts and Sales/Operations Managers to ensure category planning and marketing programs are executed and operating effectively.
• Coordinate the implementation of new product initiatives and new work processes.

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary education (degree, diploma, or certification) or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in the marketing field; previous buying and retail merchandising experience is an asset.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, coupled with strong interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment and build and maintain relationships within the organization.
• Must be able to maintain confidential information; able to accommodate a flexible schedule with limited travel (up to 20 days a year).