Category Program Manager

Position Summary

The Category Program Manager – Private Label is responsible for managing assigned private label sub-categories and supporting category strategy execution through data-driven analysis, product development, sourcing initiatives, and business case development. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams and domestic and international suppliers to identify private label opportunities, optimize product assortment, improve category performance, and drive profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the performance of assigned private label sub-categories by monitoring sales, profitability, and key business metrics.
• Identify private label growth and margin improvement opportunities, and develop business cases for new product introductions, product conversions, and sourcing initiatives.
• Support product development initiatives, including product specifications, supplier selection, sampling, and commercialization.
• Optimize product assortment, SKU rationalization, and product lifecycle decisions to maximize category performance.
• Participate in domestic and international vendor sourcing and negotiation activities to secure competitive pricing, quality, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with Sales, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to execute private label strategies.
• Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations to support strategic decision-making.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance category efficiency and profitability.
• Travel internationally as needed to visit suppliers, evaluate manufacturing capabilities, and support product development initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Solid understanding of category management and private label principles.
• Emerging negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Understanding of product development and international sourcing processes preferred.
• Ability to translate complex data into actionable business insights.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools; experience with BI platforms is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Category Management, Product Development, Buying, Procurement, or a related commercial role.
• Experience developing business cases and analyzing product performance preferred .
• Experience working with international suppliers or private label products preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (Success Metrics)

• Achievement of private label revenue growth and margin targets.
• Successful development and launch of new private label products.
• Improvement in SKU productivity and assortment effectiveness.
• Return on investment (ROI) from private label and sourcing initiatives.
• Supplier performance, including cost, quality, delivery, and service levels.
• Timely execution of category strategies and cross-functional initiatives.