Sr. Category Manager

Senior Category Manager

Highly strategic and experienced Senior Category Manager leads the development and execution of innovative category strategies that align with our corporate vision and accelerate long-term business growth. This role demands deep expertise in category lifecycle planning, financial oversight, supplier negotiations, and cross-functional leadership. Requires strategic thinking and capabilities to turn complex market insights into actionable plans and mentor teams to deliver exceptional results.

What will you do?

Category Management

• Defines the role of a category
• Defines category strategy based on the role
• Organizes and synthesizes industry, competitor and consumer trends into workable category strategies
• Defines future category needs and opportunities
• Defines categories to be included in box-level strategy
• Integrates and links the business plan with the category plan
• Monitors and adjusts resources based on the category role
• Manages complexity of multiple categories and varying sub-class roles (i.e., prominent category with stake-in-the-ground sub-class) to improve business performance

Business Acumen – Financial Management

• Plans and coordinates financial management and budgeting tasks
• Provides input and assists in creating Advance Auto Parts strategic financial plan
• Sets budgeting guidelines
• Sets guidelines for risk tolerance in financial programs
• Communicates targets and objectives to business units based on strategic plan
• Addresses complex/extreme gaps related to budgeting and financial management

Supplier Management/Negotiation

• Determine supplier value targets and selects supplier audience for strategic sourcing discussions
• Determine appropriate facts
• Synthesizes facts gathered from multiple sources to be used in the negotiations
• Executes supplier negotiations across product categories
• Anticipates and rebuts supplier's points and counterpoints during the negotiations
• Assesses effort and time needed to obtain value target sourcing opportunities with each supplier
• Applies BATNA principles during negotiations
• Evaluates and utilizes supplier performance information/data for future negotiations and decision-making
• Coaches employees in strategic sourcing processes and actions

Strategic Thinking & Execution

• Develops milestones that will help implement the vision
• Creates thorough implementation plans that address possible hurdles and involves support throughout the organization
• Translates corporate strategic vision into day-to-day operational goals
• Articulates and reinforces Advance Auto Parts vision and goals to business team
• Coaches employees to support vision and strategy through operational goal

Communication

• Establishes trust and rapport with senior executives having diverse views on an issue
• Changes others' opinions and perspectives to gain commitment to action
• Uses communication tools and techniques to shift focus in response to group dynamics
• Creates environments conducive to productive communication

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Manages the formation of teams and ensures team can perform
• Facilitates the designation of team roles, goals and expectations
• Removes barriers (resource or other outside constraints) to effective teamwork
• Analyzes team process inefficiencies and recommends improvements
• Assesses other team members' capabilities and provides feedback for improvements
• Creates team recognition structure and reward possibilities
• Coaches employees on building teams and the business value driven by teams

Location & Work Availability:

This position is Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote), based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or strategic sourcing.
• Proven track record of managing complex category portfolios and leading strategic initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Advanced negotiation skills with experience managing top-tier supplier relationships.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and coaching abilities.
• Proficiency in category management tools, ERP systems, and data analytics platforms.

Certifications, Experience, and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA preferred).

Why Join Us?

• Lead high-impact initiatives that shape the future of our business.
• Collaborate with top-tier talent in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and performance incentives.
• A culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.