Category Manager - (COMPANY NAME) Professional

Job Description:

**This position is based in Boston, MA. This is a hybrid role that requires a minimum of four days on-site per week.**
We're seeking a highly analytical, passionate, self-motivated individual to join our Education Category Management team on (COMPANY NAME) Professional, the B2B arm of (COMPANY NAME). (COMPANY NAME) Professional is a fast-growing business built just for Pros, with the mission of being the #1 destination for all furniture, fixtures and equipment purchases for every business in our 7 verticals: Commercial Office, Contractor, Interior Design, Accommodations, Property Management, Education and Foodservice. The Education Vertical is focused on offering schools and early childhood education centers an unbeatable selection, strong pricing, dedicated sales and service and an unmatched delivery experience. You will be responsible for working with suppliers to grow their business on our platform, identifying new supplier and category opportunities, representing (COMPANY NAME) Professional in external partner and supplier conversations , and working with multiple cross functional teams (Sales & Service, Brand, Marketing and Premium Catalog Merchandising, to name a few!) to achieve broader goals. You will also work closely with our dedicated Education sales team to enhance our offering (e.g., assortment, product training, supplier support, pricing, etc). We welcome applications from high caliber professionals who love digging into data to solve a problem, thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy cross-functional collaboration and are analytical and organized.
Who We Are
The B2B Category Management team offers a unique opportunity to drive strategy for (COMPANY NAME) Professional's customers segments and product categories through tight internal and external partnership. We know our customers cold (and often speak with them on calls, or hear their feedback indirectly through our Sales teams), and serve as ambassadors of the product categories we manage. We are at the forefront as the company redefines the supplier experience as a platform, giving suppliers more data, more transparency, and more control while retaining the high-touch elements that make working with us exceptional. Internally, we leverage a diverse set of cross-functional partners to execute our strategic vision. In a role on the (COMPANY NAME) Professional B2B Category Management team, you will be expected to define overarching goals and strategy within your aisle and category, problem-solve, articulate and execute against tactical plans, manage key business metrics and work with cross functional teams. Members of the team must be able to expertly negotiate internally and externally, while also being effective project managers.
How is this opportunity unique?
The Category Management team interacts with our suppliers every day. We like candidates with consultative mindsets who want to work with external partners. Collaborative partnerships are a hallmark of a relationship with (COMPANY NAME). The B2B Category Management is oriented around specific customer segments in addition to categories, so you'll be expected to work closely with our Sales partners to better understand your customer and their needs.(COMPANY NAME) is a data-driven environment. Candidates with experience using data to drive decision-making are great matches.
We move fast and take risks. If you have experience at a start-up or in another fast-paced, risk-taking environment, you'd enjoy working at (COMPANY NAME). Be prepared to constantly evolve.
Strong communication is key. Category Associates have a 360° view into their suppliers and their category. You'll need to be able to gain buy-in from senior leaders and cross-functional teams to accomplish your goals.
We like to have fun. Our team takes time each month to celebrate our wins and accomplishments. We foster an environment that values balance, and we encourage personal development by offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for continuous development and mentorship.
What You'll Do
* Dive deep into the Education industry and the customer journey, becoming an expert on public/private/charter school procurement processes, B2B FF&E (furniture, fixture & equipment) needs and supplier manufacturing nuances (with an eye to MTO products and bulk orders)
* Develop our broader K-12 strategy based on an expert understanding of market trends, competitive dynamics, WFP capabilities and supplier partnerships.
* Have ownership over a category plan to achieve revenue and profitability goals
* Build strong relationships with existing suppliers and execute negotiations to secure best pricing and promotional support
* Analyze data to strategize profit growth opportunities for the category and for specific supplier partners
* Advance catalog expansion: identify selection gaps, prioritize new item production, and develop relationships with target suppliers
* Identify sales, merchandising, and operational opportunities for the category and collaborate with internal teams to drive change (Sales, Advertising, Brand, Marketing, Merchandising, Operations, Finance, Customer Service, Business Intelligence)
* Analyze and anticipate competitor marketing, selection, and pricing strategy
* Attend tradeshows to visit key suppliers (2-4 times per year)
* Serve as manager to two direct reports, and a coach to cross-functional team members across B2B and Category Management
What You'll Need
* 5+ years of ecommerce, corporate retail, or management consulting experience preferred
* Articulate and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal
* A track record of successful negotiation and relationship management skills
* An ability to hit the ground running - a confident, entrepreneurial self-starter
* Demonstrated senior presence, recognized as an effective manager
* An ability to manage and prioritize projects, and to delegate tasks appropriately
* Innovative problem-solving skills - dissect and determine root causes of problems and implement solutions
* A track record of taking on big challenges and delivering despite obstacles and limited resources
* Experience managing others preferred
An Important Note about (COMPANY NAME)'s In-Office Policy:
All Boston-based interns, Co-ops, and corporate employees will be in office in a hybrid capacity. Employees will work in the office on designated days, Monday - Thursday, and work remotely Friday.
At this time, (COMPANY NAME) does not provide sponsorship for employment authorization for this position.

Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
(COMPANY NAME) is fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. As part of this commitment, (COMPANY NAME) will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on business operations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by completing our Accomodations for Applicants form.
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