Category Manager

Category Manager

The Category Manager at SRS Building Products plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth and profitability within assigned product categories, aligning efforts with the company's overarching business objectives. This position is responsible for leveraging comprehensive industry insights and advanced data analytics to optimize product assortments, enhance supplier partnerships, and realize financial targets, ensuring that all initiatives are executed seamlessly in collaboration with cross-functional teams. With a strong emphasis on leadership, analytical acumen, and exceptional negotiation skills, the Category Manager will cultivate a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies that align with overall business objectives, focusing on driving profitable growth and market share expansion within assigned categories.
• Conduct detailed analysis of market trends and competitor strategies to identify opportunities for product innovation, differentiation, and category expansion.
• Lead cross-functional teams in executing category management initiatives, ensuring timely and effective implementation to achieve desired business outcomes.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers to negotiate advantageous terms, enhance product offerings, and drive cost efficiencies.
• Collaborate with internal sales, marketing, and operations teams to devise and deploy promotional strategies that boost category performance and enhance customer engagement.
• Leverage advanced data analytics to evaluate category performance, generating actionable insights to guide strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and deliver clear, insightful presentations to senior leadership, emphasizing category performance, achievements, and future strategic plans.
• Promote a culture of excellence and collaboration within the category management team, fostering continuous learning and development to enhance team capabilities.

The Category Manager at SRS Building Products will report directly to the Director of Category Management. This position does not include any direct reports but requires strong collaborative leadership to guide cross-functional project teams and foster strategic partnerships within the organization.

The Category Manager at SRS Building Products is required to undertake periodic travel to meet with key suppliers, attend industry conferences, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with company objectives and enhancing category performance.

The Category Manager role at SRS Building Products primarily involves work in an office setting. Standard physical expectations for this position include the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, frequent use of computer and office technology, and the capacity to engage in effective communication in person, over the phone, and in written form. This role may occasionally require light physical activity, such as moving office supplies or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. SRS Building Products is dedicated to ensuring a workplace that accommodates the diverse needs of our employees. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and to support an inclusive and accessible work environment.

The Category Manager role at SRS Building Products offers a dynamic and flexible working environment designed to support both collaborative and independent work styles. This position operates within a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration at our facilities with remote work flexibility to ensure optimal productivity and work-life balance. The pace is notably fast-paced and deadline-driven, reflecting the company's commitment to setting industry standards for excellence and agility. The successful candidate will thrive in a setting that demands strategic thinking, rapid adaptation to evolving market conditions, and a proactive approach to achieving results. This environment empowers employees to leverage their expertise, foster innovation, and deliver superior outcomes that align with SRS Building Products' strategic objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field is required; MBA is preferred.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in category management, procurement, or a directly related field within the building materials industry or a comparable sector.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing and implementing category strategies that result in measurable growth and profitability.
• Advanced analytical skills with the capacity to translate complex data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in utilizing category management software, data analytics tools, and the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple high-impact projects concurrently, demonstrating exceptional initiative, organizational skills, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of supply chain optimization and inventory management in the building materials sector.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms to support efficient category management processes.
• Prior experience in leading transformational initiatives or process improvements within a product management or procurement function.
• Demonstrated expertise in leveraging digital technology trends to enhance product visibility and customer reach.
• Strong project management skills with recognized certification (such as PMP or Six Sigma Black Belt) being considered an advantage.
• Proven track record in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse suppliers to foster innovation and competitive advantage.
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills with the capability to present complex data and strategies succinctly to C-level executives and other high-level stakeholders.
• Experience in international product sourcing and an understanding of global market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment and promoting diverse perspectives within team operations.

A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field is required; an MBA is preferred.

An MBA or advanced degree is preferred to further enhance strategic and analytical capabilities for achieving category growth and optimization.

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in category management, procurement, or a related field within the building materials industry or a comparable sector.

None Required.

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Category Management Association (CMA) certification

These certifications underscore a commitment to industry standards and professional excellence, aligning with SRS Building Products' dedication to achieving superior results.

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute strategies that align with corporate goals, drive growth, and address market trends and customer needs.Analytical Proficiency: Expertise in using data analytics to derive insights, monitor performance, and make informed decisions for category optimization.Relationship Management: Proficient in cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders, ensuring favorable negotiations and collaborations.Leadership and Team Collaboration: Demonstrated capability in leading cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment, and driving high-performance culture within the team.Negotiation Skills: Advanced skills in negotiating favorable terms with suppliers to enhance product offerings and cost efficiencies.Communication Excellence: Strong ability to prepare and deliver clear, compelling presentations and reports to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.Project Management: Competence in managing multiple initiatives concurrently, with a focus on delivering results efficiently and on time.Innovation and Problem-Solving: Ability to identify opportunities for product innovation and differentiation, addressing challenges with creative solutions and analytical rigor.

SRS Building Products - Louisville6705 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40219

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer SRS Distribution Inc., including all its subsidiaries, provides job opportunities to qualified individuals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, uniform service, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local EEO laws.

Competitive weekly/bi-weekly pay, discretionary bonuses, 401(k) with company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off (vacation, sick, volunteer, holidays, birthday, floating), medical/dental/vision, flexible spending accounts, company-paid life and short-term disability, plus optional long-term disability, and additional life insurance. All benefits subject to eligibility.