Category Manager

Excellent career opportunity to join one of the finest Fortune 200 companies in the United States! You will also enjoy a wide array of career development programs including the company supported Six Sigma Black Belt training in category management. NOTE: This person must live in Atlanta or be open to relocating on their own - No relocation assistance currently provided. Position: Category Manager — Paint Reports To: Senior Category Director — Tools & Equipment Direct Reports: 1 direct report (Associate Category Manager) Location: Atlanta, GA — (Cumberland/Vinings area) Hybrid - 4 days in office/1 day remote About the Company NAPA Auto Parts is a leading U.S. automotive aftermarket distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a $23.5B global distribution leader. With 20,000+ employees, NAPA distributes more than 800,000 automotive replacement parts, accessories, and service items to retail and commercial customers nationwide. As GPC prepares to separate its Automotive and Industrial businesses into independent public companies by 2027, NAPA will become the standalone Automotive platform—creating greater focus, agility, and investment to accelerate growth and innovation across the automotive aftermarket. Why This Role Matters This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of one of NAPA’s most complex and specialized businesses—a $175M Paint portfolio encompassing automotive paint and toners, mixing systems, abrasives, spray guns, accessories, and related products. The Category Manager will have significant opportunity to bring fresh perspective to the business, strengthen its strategic direction, and identify investments and initiatives that drive renewed growth and performance. Operating across a complex value chain from supplier to distribution center, store, and ultimately the customer, this individual will partner closely with senior leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to shape category strategy and translate it into action. The role offers meaningful visibility and the opportunity to make a measurable impact on an important business during a pivotal period of transformation at NAPA. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a strategic, commercially minded merchant who can both shape the vision and drive execution. They bring strong business judgment, fresh thinking, and the ability to influence senior leadership, navigate complex supplier relationships, and turn strategy into measurable results. The strongest candidate may be either an accomplished merchant/category leader with highly transferable commercial skills or a professional with meaningful paint/coatings expertise and the business acumen and leadership potential to succeed within NAPA’s Category Management organization. Key Responsibilities Own the strategy, performance, and continued development of NAPA’sPaint portfolio, including paint and toners, mixing systems, abrasives, spray guns, accessories, and related products Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales, profitability, assortment effectiveness, market competitiveness, and long-term growth Translate strategic ideas into actionable plans, establishing clear priorities and driving initiatives through implementation and measurable results Partner with senior leadership to identify business opportunities and investment needs, develop compelling recommendations, and influence support for strategic category initiatives Manage complex supplier relationships, including NAPA’s major paint and coatings partners, effectively navigating negotiations and challenging commercial discussions while maintaining productive long-term partnerships Evaluate the entire category value chain—from supplier and distribution center assortments through store execution and the end customer—to identify opportunities and resolve business challenges Assess assortment, product, pricing, promotional, and capital-investment opportunities, including equipment and mixing-system requirements across stores and customers Bring fresh thinking to the category, identifying opportunities to improve current processes, strengthen the customer value proposition, and accelerate category performance Lead and develop an Associate Category Manager, providing direction, coaching, exposure, and opportunities for continued professional growth Collaborate cross-functionally across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Inventory, Finance, Pricing, Marketing, Operations, and other key functions to align priorities and advance business objectives Professional Qualifications Requirements: Meaningful experience in Category Management, Merchandising, Product Management, Buying, Commercial Management, or a related consumer/retail business function, with demonstrated ownership of business or category performance Proven success managing significant supplier/vendor relationships, including the ability to navigate difficult conversations, negotiations, and complex commercial partnerships Strong commercial and strategic acumen with the ability to evaluate complex business opportunities, develop recommendations, and translate strategy into successful execution Demonstrated results orientation with a track record of moving initiatives forward, overcoming obstacles, and driving measurable business outcomes Experience managing complex assortments, supply chains, distribution environments, and/or multi-channel retail businesses highly valued Strong executive communication and influencing skills with the confidence to present ideas, build compelling business cases, and gain alignment from senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders Automotive paint, coatings, or related industry experience strongly valued, though not mandatory for a strong merchant Prior people-leadership experience preferred; high-potential candidates ready to lead will also be considered Education Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or a related field required Leadership & Personal Characteristics Merchant Mindset - Thinks and operates like a business owner, balancing customer needs, supplier dynamics, financial performance, assortment strategy, and long-term growth Strategic Executor - Sees the bigger picture while maintaining a strong bias for action; moves beyond analysis to decisions, implementation, and measurable results Influential Leader - Communicates with confidence and credibility, builds persuasive business cases, and effectively influences senior leaders and cross-functional partners Commercially Resilient - Navigates challenging supplier relationships and difficult conversations with confidence, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach Change Agent - Brings fresh ideas, challenges conventional thinking constructively, and identifies opportunities to strengthen and evolve the business NAPA fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented culture where humility, integrity, sound judgment, and “ roll up your sleeves ” work ethic are highly valued. Team members are encouraged to work across functions, share ideas, take ownership, and support one another in achieving common goals. NAPA is equally committed to creating an environment where employees are valued and respected and provided equal opportunities, while offering a supportive environment for continued learning, development, and career growth. NAPA offers an attractive compensation package annual bonus opportunity, and a comprehensive benefits package. #J-18808-Ljbffr