CATEGORY MANAGER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

The Category Manager possesses a deep understanding of the retail environment and marketplace, expertly applying category management principles and strategic management skills. This role involves preparing and delivering effective presentations, using advanced Excel skills to analyze data and generate insights. With a background in Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, or Operations, the Category Manager excels in centralized Indirect Spend Sourcing across multiple countries, showcasing strong analytical, communication, and negotiation abilities.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Category Manager Resume
  • Data Analysis
  • Financial Acumen
  • Category Strategy Development
  • Market Research
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Negotiation
  • Project Management
  • Software Proficiency
  • Presentation Skills
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Decision-Making
  • Relationship Building
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Time Management

Summary of Category Manager Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Business Administration with 3 years of Experience

  • Experience in insights & analytics, supplier or retailer experience 
  • Experience with space-planning software imperative (JDA)
  • Strong analytical mindset, experience with Nielsen, Aztec, Tableau and COGNOS
  • Range and space planning experience within an FMCG or Retailer environment
  • Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders
  • Drive commercial outcomes with insights and analytics
  • Experience in a purchasing function within an automotive environment 
  • Mandatory relevant experience in responsible commodity.
  • Language English (oral and written) fluent
  • Extremely organized and able to manage numerous tasks in parallel.

2. BS in Marketing with 5 years of Experience

  • Savvy with the full suite of Microsoft Applications
  • Maintain a high degree of integrity and a sound moral compass.
  • Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams.
  • Documented success in implementing a cross-functional strategy.
  • Fact-based approach and superior analytical skills to develop a robust strategy
  • Experience negotiating and writing complex contracts
  • Presenting contract presentations to a wide audience
  • Maintain effective relationships with internal & external relationships

3. BS in Economics with 8 years of Experience

  • Experience in retail category management or trailer industry 
  • Fluency in Microsoft Word applications and Excel spreadsheets
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Exposure to financial and retail planning
  • Understanding of basic retail math
  • Undergraduate degree in Marketing, Finance or related field. 
  • Expert in the Category Management process and proficiency in Category Management Tools
  • Is a master at pairing the optimal data sources to answer business questions
  • Strong Analytical Skills and is proficient in Excel, Power Point, and Category Management Tools (JDA, Numerator, Market Data, DOMO, etc.)
  • Understands cross-functional roles and knows when and how to leverage

4. BS in Supply Chain Management with 7 years of Experience

  • Communication & relationship building skills for multi-level retailer engagement
  • High level of curiosity and drive to understand the ‘what’ and ‘why’
  • Ability to conduct advanced analytics from multiple data sources to develop concrete action plans
  • Technical skills for key data agencies (e.g. Nielsen/IRI, Kantar)
  • High level of presentation & influencing through storytelling & knowledge-based selling
  • Ability to manage & adapt to changing priorities
  • Asks good questions, gains alignment and can execute merchant goals
  • Can creatively solve problems and is resourceful
  • Exceptional communication and relationship building skills
  • Curious and passionate about industry trends and opportunities
  • Can work independently and is resourceful at figure out an answer

5. BS in Finance with 6 years of Experience

  • Experience in FMCG, retail, account and category management.
  • Demonstrated track record of successful negotiations, influence and overall relationship management (both internal and external).
  • Ability to work autonomously in a highly demanding and often ambiguous environment
  • Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills.
  • Ability and desire to contribute to wider team performance and culture.
  • Great communication skills (both oral and written) are a must.
  • Mastery of MS Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint) as well as an agility with web-based software applications and internally-developed systems
  • Previous category management and strategy experience desirable
  • Numerical and analytical skill with the ability to handle large quantities of data

6. BS in Statistics with 2 years of Experience

  • Ability to work in a methodical approach using initiative effectively prioritising tasks, in particular when under pressure in order to meet key deadlines.
  • Good knowledge of contracts and contract law.
  • Proven negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to communicate succinctly 
  • Effectively in both written and spoken forms throughout all levels of the organisation and externally.
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft applications, in particular, Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.
  • Ability to build and effectively manage relationships, internally and externally.
  • Must possess excellent influencing skills as well as strong interpersonal communication skills for building relationships with internal stakeholders and supplier executives at all levels
  • Must be a skilled negotiator with a proven ability to move to a supplier's best and final offer in the designated time frame for the project

7. BS in International Business with 4 years of Experience

  • Strong experience in IT Hardware and Network Category Management
  • Familiarity with Complex multi services Deal management and Complex commercial, and T&C Negotiations.
  • Proficiency on supply chain logistics/compliance related issues in cross border shipment
  • Alignment of back to back terms /flow down terms with partners/vendors as per end customer requirement
  • Component level pricing acumen for portfolio managed under Hardware categorys
  • Strong communication skills and drive desired results within the organization.
  • Excellent people management skills, Proficient in verbal Communication, Writing, Time management, Organizational and Presentation skills
  • Excellent Analytical and Decision-making skills are also required, and knowledge of Hardware and Network licensing is desirable
  • Exceptionally strong work ethic displaying a mature and professional attitude with an ability to adjust quickly to change
  • Good level of Project Management experience, leading complex commercial projects.
  • Motivated, self-starter and achievement oriented and excellent team building skills.

8. BS in Retail Management with 5 years of Experience

  • CIPS qualified or working towards (the organisation will support with obtaining/furthering CIPS)
  • Background/understanding working within Health Goods/Services
  • Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills
  • Experience in managing the whole procurement lifecycle.
  • Results focused, responding naturally to pressure and demanding deadlines.
  • Able to demonstrate good commercial acumen, attention to detail and previous category knowledge.
  • An exceptional communicator and stakeholder manager 
  • Ability to build and maintain an extensive network of contacts within the category
  • Highly developed numerical and analytical person with strong Excel knowledge

9. BS in Entrepreneurship with 6 years of Experience

  • Understanding of the retail environment/marketplace
  • Understanding of the principles and tools of category management and strategic management
  • Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations
  • Experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance and/or Operations.
  • Procurement certifications and specific experience in deploying a centralized Indirect Spend Sourcing in a multicountry based company.
  • Attention to detail and analytical skills, Advanced communication and negotiation skills
  • Knowledge of inventory management, financial acumen, system knowledge and project management skills
  • Ability to use the latest tools competently & effectively to source information accurately and quickly and then turn data into insight. 
  • Excellent excel skills (pivot tables/v look ups) and numerically competent.
  • Ability to influence a buyer / merchandiser through category data. 
  • Ability to build relationships across internal and external teams and influence effectively. 

10. BS in International Business with 2 years of Experience

  • Experience in fmcg marketing /consulting / program management
  • Strong communication skills
  • Demonstrated data-driven decision making or quantitative analysis skills
  • Ability to think strategically and tactically, with excellent attention to detail
  • Proven experience of comfortable with “hands-on” management of tasks while managing multiple competing priorities simultaneously
  • Prior experience in Retail / Category Management with experience in e-commerce
  • Deep understanding of the category
  • Ecommerce/marketplace passion
  • Very strong pitching and negotiation skill
  • Be mission/passion/vision driven

11. BS in Retail Management with 5 years of Experience

  • Professional leadership and management experience
  • Experience with dash boarding software such as PowerBI, Qlik, Tableau, or Spotfire
  • Robust Project Management skills, and a demonstrated ability to lead projects on a regional or global basis
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently
  • Ability to travel as required to sites, conferences, and vendor locations
  • Knowledge of SAP or other ERP’s, experience with eProcurement an added plus
  • Experience with Supply Quality Programs
  • Experience managing a category within a strong branded Company in an international matrix structure
  • Ability to channel Distribution and experience working with major retailers

12. BS in Finance with 4 years of Experience

  • Wide and extensive experience in category management in a B2B business
  • Managed difficult suppliers and across other countries/regions
  • Strong execution and leadership focus with proven success in leading large teams
  • Confident influencing and negotiation skills
  • Experience buying at least $50-100 million
  • Experience in building material industry, but category merchant experience in another field is acceptable (industrial supplies, etc.)
  • Understanding and ability to manage ROI, KPIs, etc.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and procurement/ERP systems (NxTrend or Cognos)
  • Strong negotiating and relationship building/management skills
  • Work individually and collaboratively with team members
  • Nimble and able to shift focus quickly, working well within a fast-paced environment
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