Assistant Category Manager

Job Description

Job Summary:

Assistant Category Manager supports the development and execution of category strategies that drive business growth, optimize supplier relationships, and enhance customer satisfaction. This role requires a basic understanding of category lifecycle management, financial acumen, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Management

• Describes strategic role of assigned category

• Identifies differences in category roles

• Recognizes how category strategy directs business decisions

• Executes SKU-level decisions to support sub-class and role goals and plan

• Identifies basic terms required in category planning (e.g., freight, payment terms, vendor data, deals)

Business Acumen – Financial Management

• Identifies and explains financial reports pertaining to assigned SKUs

• Plans business actions for SKUs based on given budget information

• Identifies and explains basic financial metrics (e.g., Camp sales, GMROI) to better plan business actions

• Applies basic financial management concepts (COGS, Net OPROI, Receipts, Turnover, etc.) with assistance

Supplier Management/Negotiation

• Communicates required information to suppliers

• Describes how each member of the cross-functional team (i.e., merchant, inventory, planning, procurement) interacts with suppliers

• Executes and tracks action items (to-do lists) related to sourcing

• Assists in defining negotiation requirements to optimize performance at the SKU-level (i.e., cost, quality, time, and performance).

Strategic Thinking & Execution

• Executes detailed tasks needed to implement the vision within own group

and role

• Describes future Company and customer expectations of a given product

category

• Tracks and monitors current trends to assist in developing future trends and

strategy

• Reviews strategies and helps determine application within product category

Communication

• Discusses business issues and ideas to effectively perform role

• Develop documents to support work efforts within own team

• Assists in developing presentations for business groups audiences

• Writes using appropriate language and terminology for audiences

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Recognizes and accepts personal role within business team

• Identifies relationship of own role to other roles on team

• Displays respect for other team members and their roles

• Accepts and incorporates positive and negative feedback regarding performance

• Develops constructive working relationships with team members to achieve goals

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.

• 4-7 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or procurement.

• Intermediate analytical and financial modeling skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Benefits Summary:

We believe in supporting our Team Members and those they love through comprehensive health & wellness benefits.
Learn more here:

Company Overview:

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do‑it‑yourself customers. As of January 3, 2026, Advance operated 4,305 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also served 809 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands.

Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories, and other offerings can be found at

Advance Auto Parts is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does 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, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected status.

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.

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