CATEGORY ASSOCIATE JOB DESCRIPTION

A Category Associate manages the product mix within assigned categories - maintaining listing accuracy, tracking performance against sales and margin targets, and supporting the promotional calendar that keeps inventory moving. The role sits within the merchandising or category management function, working alongside Category Managers, vendors, and cross-functional partners in operations and marketing. What makes it demanding is the dual accountability: both the data rigor needed to spot opportunity and the supplier relationships needed to act on it.

As the Category Associate, you are responsible for the day-to-day integrity of assigned product categories - from assortment curation and vendor coordination to promotional execution and performance reporting - directly influencing sales outcomes and margin health. You operate within a merchandising team, supporting the Category Manager while maintaining direct contact with external partners including vendors, sellers, and brand representatives across the assigned vertical.

Career Impact: Owning a product category in retail or eCommerce builds end-to-end commercial fluency - from OTB management to vendor negotiation - that is the recognized foundation for advancement to Category Manager.

Business Impact: The assortment decisions and promotional plans this role executes directly determine which products reach customers, at what price, and in what quantities - making category-level margin performance directly traceable to this work.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to category strategy, financial planning, and cross-functional execution prepares Category Associates to take on broader vertical ownership or step into planning and buying roles within two to three years.

• Own product assortment quality by maintaining accurate listings, pricing, and distribution data across the assigned category.
• Analyze weekly sales and margin performance to identify trends and surface recommendations for category improvement.
• Support promotional planning and execution, including tracking program results and coordinating the exit strategy for seasonal or planogram changes.
• Coordinate with vendors and external partners to resolve fulfillment issues and ensure timely reconciliation of payments and rebates.
• Monitor inventory levels and lead times, creating distributions and flagging supply chain risks to the Category Manager.
• Conduct regular seller or vendor reviews to assess performance gaps and define corrective action plans for the period ahead.
• Collaborate with Space Planning, Marketing, and Finance teams on duties assigned within the broader category strategy.
• Prepare monthly financial reviews and present category insights to the Category Manager and senior leadership.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience in category management, retail merchandising, or eCommerce operations, with demonstrated ownership of an assigned product set.
• Proven ability to analyze sales performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience managing vendor or seller relationships, including negotiation and issue resolution.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines across promotional cycles and reporting cadences.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and productivity applications at a level sufficient for financial tracking and reporting.

• Prior exposure to assortment planning tools or retail ERP environments such as SAP Retail or comparable platforms.
• Experience in a marketplace or platform eCommerce environment with direct seller-facing responsibilities.
• Familiarity with OTB management, seasonal budget planning, or merchandise financial planning processes.
• Comfort presenting category performance findings to cross-functional stakeholders or senior leadership.

• Category gross margin percentage, measuring the financial health of the managed assortment.
• Promotional sell-through rate, tracking how effectively inventory clears during planned promotions.
• Listing accuracy rate, reflecting the completeness and correctness of product data across the category.
• Vendor issue resolution time, measured by average days to close open fulfillment or reconciliation tickets.
• Monthly reporting cadence adherence, tracking on-time delivery of financial reviews to the Category Manager.
• Typical tools: Retail ERP and reporting (commonly SAP Retail, BW Reporting); productivity and analysis (commonly Excel, PowerPoint).

• Base Salary Range: $50,000 to $72,000 per year depending on experience and market.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Uncommon at this level; may be offered at larger eCommerce platforms.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Employee merchandise discount, hybrid work schedule, professional development stipend.

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

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role, and all candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

The Category Associate owns the product assortment for an eCommerce start-up within the Parts & Services Division, translating strategic goals into long-term assortment plans while answering technical customer queries and maximizing category performance. Working in conjunction with the operations lead and cross-functional colleagues, this role shapes the customer offering across machinery categories including mining, agriculture, and construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate strategic goals into a long-term assortment goal and plan for expansion and optimization.
• Own the quality of assortment through maintaining and improving the product information to ensure customers can find, identify, and learn about the products.
• Continuously optimize the assortment by improving the product information.
• Improve assortment through analysis and negotiation.
• Continuously analyze performance data and customer feedback to improve assortment range and depth.
• Build brand trust with technical advice.
• Work in conjunction with the operations lead to ensure that all technical questions receive accurate and speedy responses.
• Build the brand by ensuring friendly and accurate service provided to customers.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of product experience within mining, agriculture, construction, or other machinery.
• Highly technically knowledgeable in mining, agriculture, construction, or other machinery.
• Understanding of unit economics of all parts available to drive sourcing decisions that optimize product costs and quality.
• Business savvy and analytical, able to analyze different types of data and draw conclusions.
• Enthusiastic, ambitious, and optimistic with strong communication skills.
• Passion for joining a fast-moving part of Sandvik.
• Fluent in English.
• Second European language an advantage (Swedish, Finnish, German).

Reporting to the Marketplace Manager, the Category Associate refines supplier relationships and product listings on Pepperfry.com by managing onboarding, commission negotiations, day-to-day operations, and monthly seller reviews to ensure timely fulfilment and category growth. Partnering with suppliers and internal operations, this role drives MIS reporting, corrective action planning, and onsite listing management to achieve set goals.

Primary Duties

• Manage a set of suppliers and work closely to help them grow their business on Pepperfry.com through new product launches, promotions, and insights on trends.
• Assist the Marketplace Manager to identify product and price point gaps and identify relevant suppliers.
• Explain business model, commission negotiations, and onsite merchandising.
• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure timely order fulfilment and reconciliation of payments.
• Curate product listings based on customer feedback related to quality, timelines, and delivery experience.
• Conduct daily and weekly MIS reporting and take corrective action to achieve set goals.
• Handle onsite listings management.
• Conduct monthly seller reviews to identify areas of improvement and plan for the coming months to achieve set goals.

Skills & Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree required.
• 1–2 years of experience in Account Management or Business Development.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Proficient in MS Excel and MS Word.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong sense of ownership with intensity in achieving results.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Readiness to travel pan India for sourcing and seller meets.

Sitting at the intersection of merchandising and data analytics, the Category Associate supports assigned categories by maintaining article integrity in SAP Retail, executing promotional programs, and conducting monthly financial reviews with the Category Manager and Department Vice President to inform organizational strategy. Operating across vendor relations, Space Planning, Field Operations, and Finance, this role delivers the category insights and inventory decisions that sustain sales and margin performance.

Duties

• Maintain article integrity in SAP Retail, including item set-up process, cost and retail change tracking, and price zone accuracy.
• Work closely with Field Operations and vendors to resolve issues, including timely resolution of Service Now tickets.
• Work closely with Space Planning and Pricebook on duties as assigned by the Category Manager.
• Assist in the planning, execution, tracking, and analysis of new programs and monthly promotions.
• Assist with inventory management and supply chain-related tasks, including reviewing product lead times, creating distributions, and monitoring inventory levels.
• Assist with the development and implementation of the Exit Strategy for promotions and planogram changes.
• Work with accounting to track rebates, invoice vendors, and ensure reconciliation.
• Closely monitor weekly sales and margin performance and provide insights on trends and recommendations for improvement.
• Make appropriate decisions and create action plans together with the Category Manager.
• Conduct monthly financial reviews with Category Manager and Department Vice President, and make recommendations for improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of retail experience required.
• C-Store or General Merchandise experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word required.
• SAP Retail, SAP CAR, and BW Reporting Database experience preferred.
• Ability to consider how decisions affect all cross-functional areas.
• Demonstrates effective analytical and organizational capabilities.
• Excellent time management skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Self-directed and highly motivated.

A key member of the Global Category team, the Category Associate leads the women's category strategy by developing seasonal merchandise financial plans, managing OTB, and researching competitor pricing and product innovations to deliver business targets across Sourcing, Design, and Product Planning. Collaborating across departments and reporting to the Category Manager, this role advances category growth through data analytics and a deep understanding of consumer and market trends.

Functions

• Report to Category Manager.
• Stay aware of global trends in the related field and gather relevant resources.
• Develop and present seasonal and weekly merchandise financial plans and sales budgets on a unit, value, and profit basis in accordance with company goals, historical performance, and market trend analysis.
• Revise the monthly budget based on sales forecasts and manage OTB.
• Analyze data to strategize profit growth opportunities for the responsible category.
• Manage seasonal inventory and budget with operations covering discount, promotion, dispatch, and RPT-order decisions.
• Constantly monitor and report category sales and promotion performance, tracking new product launches.
• Prepare reports by reviewing sales performance indicators on a regular basis.
• Collaborate across departments to drive category goals.
• Research and monitor competitors in terms of pricing and product innovations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferably from Textile Engineering or a related field.
• 3–5 years in retail merchandising, fast fashion industry, or a related business setting.
• Expertise in women's category management.
• Passion for growth as well as consumer and market understanding.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Attention to detail with excellent interpersonal and communication ability and strong follow-up skills.
• Strong desire to drive independent collaboration with relevant cross-functional teams.
• Highly collaborative working style with ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong time management skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Creative and innovative approach to problem solving.
• Good command of both written and spoken English.

Embedded within the Refurbished vertical team, the Category Associate delivers on-site merchandising and category strategies by collaborating with sellers, brands, retailers, buyers, and internal partners including Trust & Safety, Product Management, and Business Development to grow category inventory and buyer satisfaction. Working closely with Seller Acceleration teammates and Category Managers, this role builds the on-site experience that drives measurable performance across the vertical.

Core Functions

• Help develop and execute on-site merchandising and category strategies, including pricing, inventory, and promotions.
• Handle deals and key cultural and retail moment execution as it relates to the vertical and customers.
• Analyze performance and drive recommendations for improvement and optimization.
• Work with Seller Acceleration teammates and Category Managers to execute strategic initiatives in a holistic manner to improve buyer and seller satisfaction.
• Work collaboratively with external and internal partners, including Trust & Safety, Product Management, Marketing, and Business Development to meet business targets.
• Contribute to feature ideation and adoption for best on-site experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3–5 years of proven experience in site merchandising, marketing, or category management in retail or consumer products industry.
• E-commerce experience required.
• Experience cultivating relationships with external partners.
• Strong analytical skills and business sense in a sophisticated data environment.
• Ability to make data speak volumes about program performance, trends, and areas of opportunity.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Motivated to grow with an entrepreneurial mentality to drive key performance indicators.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively in large or small group settings.