Category Manager

We are looking for a smart, driven, and detail-oriented Category Manager who is passionate about assortment building and driving a best‑in‑class e‑commerce shopping experience. This person will be responsible for developing and implementing an assortment strategy to drive their categories of business, oversee and develop a direct report, and execute related tasks such as data analytics and financial modeling to drive thoughtful decisions around assortment curation, partnership negotiations, pricing and margin optimization, and site merchandising changes to achieve financial objectives. The ideal candidate will have experience as a Category Manager in e‑commerce, with a proven track record of growth and success in a fast paced environment. This role sits within the Merchandising Team, and will collaborate regularly with cross‑functional partners in Planning, Operations, Finance, Customer Service, Marketing, Product & Engineering. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Report into the Director of Merchandising and manage 1 team member Develop a clear strategic vision for your business that supports the overall objectives of Zola Use data to inform decision making around assortment strategy, site merchandising, margin optimization, and vendor negotiations Utilize AI solutions and emerging technologies to refine operational workflows, bolster analytical insights, and improve category management efficiency Forge strong relationships with new and existing vendors as well as with internal cross functional leaders Conduct research and business analysis for merchandise assortments Partner closely with Operations and Planning to manage vendor drop ship excellence in order fulfillment, and collaborate with Marketing, (digital) Product & Engineering, and other cross-functional leaders to drive e‑commerce initiatives Contribute new business ideas for the growth of the business Attend trade shows, lead market meetings, stay up to date on competitive landscape and market research QUALIFICATIONS Experience: 5+ years of e‑commerce specific experience in buying or category management, with a proven track record of entrepreneurial leadership and financial growth in a fast paced environment. 2+ years of experience in managing, mentoring, and developing a direct report. Skills: Proven analytical and diagnostic skills, with strong retail math skills Passion for team training and development, professional growth, and mentorship Systems-oriented & proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and everyday AI productivity tools Strong negotiation and communication skills (verbal and written), with ability to influence through both official and unofficial channels Traits: A strategic thinker with the ability to balance short and long term goals Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple demands while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environment with a high degree of autonomy; able to get in the weeds and execute hands‑on tasks when needed Results‑oriented and self‑motivated with a strong sense of ownership and follow‑through Ability to be proactive in nature; resolves or appropriately escalates issues Strong team orientation, collaborative, cooperative work style Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing Strong assortment and style sensibility and a keen eye for emerging market trends to serve the customer need Salary Range The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $110,000. This full‑time role will be hybrid at our office in NYC (Tuesdays & Thursdays). #J-18808-Ljbffr