Category Department Manager - Safety/PPE & JanSan Products (Onsite)

Category Department Manager - Safety/PPE & JanSan Products (Onsite)

Nelson-Jameson is seeking a strategic, people-oriented Department Manager to lead our Safety & Facilities Product Department. This area includes product categories such as PPE & Safety, Material Handling, Janitorial/Sanitation, and Building & Facility Maintenance. This role provides both strategic and operational leadership for an onsite team that includes Category Managers and additional department staff.

While experience with related products and category management is helpful, we're ultimately seeking a business-minded leader with strong people management skills. The Department Manager is responsible for developing and executing business plans that drive category growth, improve product performance, and align with broader company objectives. In collaboration with leadership, this position helps prioritize initiatives, supports cross-functional execution, and uses data-driven tools to inform decisions. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, effective communication, and the ability to coach and develop a high-performing team while fostering alignment across Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Customer Service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with Leadership to define departmental goals, create business plans, and track execution through CRM and EDA dashboards.
• Lead and develop departmental team and support staff through performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Analyze sales and purchasing data to guide resource allocation, identify trends, and inform pricing, product, and supplier strategies.
• Oversee supplier relationships, including joint business planning, performance management, and support for team-led negotiations.
• Guide category strategy, including product selection, supplier transitions, new product launches, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Ensure pricing strategies are data-driven, margin-aligned, and accurately reflected in internal systems for quoting and customer service.
• Provide oversight on inventory and purchasing strategies to support service levels, inventory health, and operational efficiency.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to align departmental efforts.
• Represent the department at customer visits, supplier meetings, and industry events, with up to 25% travel within the continental U.S.

With Nelson-Jameson, you'll receive:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits with your choice of benefits to match your unique needs
• 401(k) with company match
• Competitive Compensation: $85,000-$90,000 annually
• Paid time off at time of hire
• Annual allowance for company-branded clothing
• Annual Wellness Stipend & other wellness programs
• Company provided cell phone and credit card
• And much more!

Qualifications & Skills:

• Required:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
  • Experience: 3–5+ years of experience in people management, with a proven ability to lead teams and drive results through cross-functional collaboration.
  • Strong business and financial acumen; ability to think strategically and act decisively.
  • Tech-savvy mindset with experience using CRM, ERP, or business analytics tools.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills with high emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time for customer visits, supplier meetings, internal team collaboration, and industry events—including locations across the continental United States. Must possess valid Drivers License, along with required acceptable documentation for air travel.
• Preferred:
  • Experience in category management, product management, sourcing, or B2B sales—especially in a manufacturing or distribution setting.
  • Familiarity with product categories such as QA or QC lab supplies or other food safety-related product categories.
  • Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP), leadership (e.g., SHRM-CP), or technical/industry-specific areas.

Nelson-Jameson, Inc. and NEXT Logistics, LLC. are Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.