Associate Category Manager

Store Support Center

We are searching for an experienced Associate Category Manager for our Store Support Center located at 600 Citadel Drive Commerce, California, 90040.

The Associate Category Manager provides support to Category Management through analysis, project support, and category management responsibilities.

• Assists Category Management on departmental initiatives and projects.
• Extracts and analyzes internal and external data, interprets results and makes recommendations/decisions to management based on this analysis.
• Assists Category Management on promotional and seasonal forecasts, analysis, distribution quantities and sell through.
• Assists Replenishment Buyers in managing inventory turns, service level, order cycles, deal implementation and general supply chain practices.
• Responsible for Category Management in the sales, net contribution, and other objectives of a given category including:
• Negotiates with vendors for cost of goods, promotional dollars, rebates, delivery terms, payment terms and growth incentives within corporate guidelines.
• Maintains awareness in market trends and analyzes market data from IRI, Nielsen and other reliable sources.
• Stays updated on all competitive situations for key items and reacts when necessary.
• Interviews vendors for new product presentations and makes decision on new items.
• Determines what products will be advertised and promoted in the stores.
• Budgets and monitors sales and margin plans of assigned categories in accordance with company goals.
• Utilizes merchandising and pricing strategies to optimize category performance.
• Responsible for maximizing sales and profits in assigned categories in accordance with overall company objectives.

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience of four or more years prior related buying/sales/market/financial experience is required. A working knowledge of the supply chain tools/systems is preferred. Retail Management Certificate is desirable.

• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Excel (spreadsheet) Power Point, Word.
• Must be able to develop, manipulate, format and share spreadsheets for purposes of analysis.
• Knowledge of Access or a similar relational database is desirable.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• High attention to detail.

The starting salary for this position is $75,000.00. The actual starting pay will be determined by a number of qualifications; including, experience and relevant skills.

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.