8,259 Senior Category Manager jobs in the United States

We’re looking for a Category Manager to join our Merchandising team and help shape the product mix across our convenience store chain. In this role, you’ll manage assigned product categories, analyze consumer and market trends, negotiate with vendors, and develop strategies to drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop category strategies that grow sales and margins
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and promotions with suppliers
• Analyze performance data and adjust assortments accordingly
• Partner with Marketing and Operations on promotions and merchandising
• Build strong vendor relationships and identify new product opportunities

What We’re Looking For:

• 3–5 years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising (convenience or grocery retail a plus)
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and financial skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

Why Join Us:

• Competitive pay + performance bonus
• Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401k)
• Growth opportunities in a fast-paced retail environment

About Rutter’s:

Rutter’s is a family-owned convenience store chain with a proud history of serving communities across Pennsylvania and beyond. Known for our award-winning foodservice, top-tier customer experience, and commitment to innovation, Rutter’s continues to grow as one of the most recognized names in the industry. Join our team and help shape the future of convenience retail.

Position Summary:    

The overall responsibility of the Category Manager is to optimize sales for a particular group of products as well as be able to maintain a productive relationship with our vendors. The ideal candidate can create an engaging relationship with our customers that is interactive and satisfying. The primary responsibilities are Vendor Management, Price Book Administration, Pricing, and Store Merchandising. Our mission is to be the preferred retailer for our vendor partners. This position reports to the Vice President of Store Operations.

Essential Functions :

·   Category Responsibilities – Store Merchandising, Soft Drinks, Grocery, General Merchandise, Coffee, Fountain, ICEE/Freeze, Dairy, DSD Chips, DSD Baked Goods, Ice, Propane, Firewood, Ohio Lottery, Newspapers, Bait, Incomm

·   Lead and provide oversight and direction to the Price Book team and Merchandising Manager

·   Develop category business plan as required of each assigned category

·   Develop strategies and tactics for each assigned category based on current performance, company philosophies, and industry trends

·   Annualize, review, evaluate, and assess category retail sales, gross profit and gross margin

·   Category performance tracking and reporting

·   Negotiate in the best interest of BellStores for item assortment, product pricing, merchandising and promotions with our suppliers and vendors

·   Select product assortment and analyze regularly

·   Develop product promotions to enhance revenue and gross profit

·   Price product according to guidelines and competitive environment

·   Develop, implement, and maintain appropriate planograms for each assigned store by category

·   Ensure proper setup of supplier and products through accounting and price book administration

·   Develop and implement merchandising initiatives based on our reporting and supplier information

·   Responsible for communication of programs, promotions, and initiatives to all Store Managers, District Supervisors, and Regional Managers

·   Participate in the Company’s monthly inspection process

·   Steward our culture of growth, while remaining focused on our values of teamwork, integrity, kindness, family-focused and employee-centered

Competencies:

·   Professional with a high degree of integrity, honesty, and ethical practices

·   Ability to evaluate vendor performance and drive improvement

·   Strong interpersonal skills with a keen ability to juggle multiple priorities effectively and efficiently

·   Demonstrates expertise in reacting to market trends for compelling consumer products

·   Strong knowledge and experience involving product merchandising and planogramming

·   Proven record of successful leadership

·   Ability to develop innovative and strategic initiatives and the ability to think creatively and innovatively.

·   Provides coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities to build and maintain an effective team

·   Strong problem-solving, analytical and organizational skills

·   Collaborates with the Marketing team on promotions and in-store signage

·   Passionate customer advocacy. Exceptional customer service aptitude and delivery

·   Strong knowledge of brand, products and service management

·   Focused on delivering measurable results: Revenue, Margin, Inventory, ROI

Required Skills and Qualifications:

·   Education and/or experience in Retail, Communication, Business and other related fields

·   Experience with the use and application of the most current technologies and products used in the industry

·   Ability to interpret and leverage data

·   Previous experience in a multi-unit retail operation helpful

·   Proficient computer skills: Microsoft Office programs, email and other company internal and external software programs

Travel:

·   Travel is frequent throughout BellStores Regions. Some out of the area travel and overnight may be expected. 

**Must be a US Citizen or Valid Green Card Holder**

**No Third-Party or C2C Firms**

We are committed to transparency and equity in all our people’s practices. The base hourly rate for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is $60-$74.

Must live within a drivable distance of Minneapolis, MN for this hybrid, 8–12-month contract.

Position Summary

Drives category strategy working with the business for multiple complexes, high business impact categories. Responsible for the development and effective execution of sourcing strategy for critical categories. Plans for and leads competitive sourcing events and other activities in support of category strategies. Develops effective negotiation strategies and conducts negotiations with their category suppliers to achieve category and business objectives. Manages risk mitigation efforts and oversees on-going monitoring activities. Forms and execute contracts with critical suppliers. Mentors, coaches and oversees development of Associate Category Managers.

Essential Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of category strategy to optimize cost and improve operations.
• Applies best practice approaches to multiple critical categories. In conjunction with logistics personnel, implement optimal inventory strategies.
• Conducts analyses of supply, demand, market, commodity, supplier, contract and “should cost” modeling to determine category strategies.
• Monitors industry information and trends, and supplier risk profiles, to keep category strategy current while supporting business requirements.
• Develops complex sourcing events and qualifies, evaluates and selects suppliers for targeted categories of spend.
• Leads multiple tier I supplier relationship management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery and continuous improvement.
• Develop plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies and drive continuous improvement and collaboration to bring value to both the company and the supplier.
• Develops performance-based scorecards and monitors, documents and evaluates supplier performance Leads the resolution of disputes with suppliers.
• Leads negotiations to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business area requirements.
• Reviews, analyzes, verifies and negotiates contract changes or additional work orders.
• Manage contractor claims to resolution and successfully minimize overall impact to cost and schedule.
• Ensure suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments.
• Applies to understanding the underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements.
• In collaboration with business area management, manages and defines the risk elements of the contract and assembles all necessary documentation for obtaining insurance.
• Creates and manages a project plan for the implementation of category strategy. Interacts with business leadership to integrate the sourcing and business project plans.
• Manages the completion of supplier, business and supply chain continuous improvement efforts.
• Creates and manages a project plan for the implementation of category strategy.
• Interacts with business leadership to integrate the sourcing and business project plans.
• Manages the completion of supplier, business and supply chain continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Project Management, Business, Finance or related field or equivalent experience required.
• 5 years’ sourcing, purchasing or logistics experience.
• Two years plus contract formation knowledge and experience, negotiation and project management skills preferred.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) preferred certification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft® Office suite and significant experience with purchasing and sourcing systems is required.
• Demonstrated customer service skills. Strong interpersonal and relationship skills are required. Frequently required to attend meetings

Stellar Energy provides state-of-the-art solutions customers build in for optimized energy performance now; and in the preparation for the energy needs of tomorrow. In business for 25 years, we’ve delivered added energy efficiency and capacity to customers in more than 15 countries. More dispatchable power. Increased LNG production. Greater Data Center efficiency and lower costs. Hyperscale deployment at the best possible speed to first megawatt. All delivered with the lower emissions required to support our partners’ unique sustainability objectives.

Stellar Energy specializes in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing solutions within the energy sector including turbine inlet air chilling, central utility plants, district cooling, combined heat & power systems, thermal energy storage, inlet air heating, data center chilling, and inlet air chilling for LNG facilities. Additionally, our expertise extends to start-up & commissioning, system health analysis, services, and training. Our in-house team of skilled engineers and dedicated tradespeople are the reason we are the global leader in customized solutions. Stellar Energy strives to add value to today’s energy infrastructure, achieving secure, affordable, and sustainable energy that will help to create a responsible energy economy.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate with all functional areas to identify raw material needs for all manufacturing projects
• Negotiate favorable commercial terms through leveraging scale and vendor relationships
• Develop cost effective sourcing/negotiation strategies for raw materials – specifically steel, pipe and certain fabrication services.
• Negotiates best vendor terms, pricing and delivery based on specific budget and schedule requirements.
• Understand forward looking cost curves for all applicable commodities
• Understand impact of tariffs and impact to the purchase of raw materials
• Adheres to purchasing policies, processes and procedures.
• Interacts with Engineering as required for specifications, documents and submittals
• Ensure all specific project flow downs are incorporated into supplier agreements
• Uses knowledge of commodity times to schedule items necessary to ensure no disruptions in fabrication and construction cycles.
• Facilitate meetings with key suppliers related to performance and new opportunities

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 7 years of sourcing/procurement/supply chain experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above-mentioned tasks.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree within Engineering, Business or Finance from an accredited university.
• C.P.I.M., C.P.M. or APICS certifications is a plus
• Five years’ prior experience with purchasing highly engineered equipment.
• Experience with project-related engineered equipment and subcontract packages preferred.
• Experience with Engineering drawings and specifications submittal process preferred.
• Experience with JD Edwards purchasing module preferred.

**Candidate must be located in Tampa, Fl or Charlotte, NC**

Role Summary:

Vaughan Executive Partners has been exclusively retained by a rapidly growing retailer to identify a Category Manager. This individual will be responsible for managing and optimizing assigned product categories across all convenience store locations. The role will drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction through the development and execution of strategic category plans, strong vendor partnerships, performance analysis, and effective product assortment, pricing, and promotions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute category strategies to meet company goals for sales, margin, and inventory turns.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and placement for assigned categories.
• Manager vendor relations to secure competitive pricing, promotional support, and supply chain efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations and marketing teams to implement merchandising plans and promotions at the store level.
• Monitor and evaluate category performance, adjusting strategies as needed to optimize results.
• Oversee new item introductions and product lifecycle management.
• Ensure planogram compliance and work with store teams to maintain merchandising standards.
• Partner with supply chain and replenishment teams to ensure product availability and forecast accuracy.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitors, and customer preferences in the convenience retail space.

Core Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, or retail buying—preferably in the convenience, grocery, or retail industry.
• Experience with a focus on the tobacco category is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency with retail analytics tools, Excel, and inventory management systems.
• Understanding of category roles (e.g., traffic driver, margin builder) and customer decision trees is preferred.

Job Summary

The Category Manager/Strategic Sourcing (Medical/Surgical Products) plays a key role in developing sourcing strategies and managing supplier relationships across a portfolio of healthcare products. This individual will lead the full lifecycle of category management; from strategy and supplier selection to commercialization and performance oversight. The role requires strong market insight, supplier management skills, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure supply continuity, cost efficiency, and product excellence.

Relocation assistance is available.

Roles & Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Product Expertise

• Develop deep knowledge of assigned medical/surgical categories including product specs, pricing, and competitive landscape
• Build and execute sourcing strategies aligned with market trends, supplier capabilities, and risk mitigation
• Support all NPD projects and product transfers, ensuring supply chain readiness and efficiency
• Supplier Selection & Relationship Management
• Lead supplier selection beyond pre-approved lists, focusing on long-term strategic partnerships
• Develop and manage full RFI/RFP processes, conduct bid analysis, and present recommendations to leadership
• Draft and negotiate contracts, including scope of work, pricing structures, and renewal strategies
• Conduct supplier business reviews and lead transparent discussions when performance issues arise
• Enforce supplier compliance with contract terms and ensure accountability

Lifecycle & Commercialization Support

• Manage sourcing projects from concept to commercialization, including supply chain setup and post-launch transition
• Support pricing management, volume discounts, and YoY rebate strategies
• Maintain category content for ecommerce and digital platforms
• Promote products during customer engagements and contribute to go-to-market strategy

Performance & Risk Management

• Track supplier KPIs and category performance metrics
• Resolve escalated issues from operations, customer service, and sales
• Ensure business controls are in place to reduce risk and protect the organization
  
  

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain (medical/surgical preferred)
• Proven ability to manage sourcing projects from concept to commercialization
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and analytical skills
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or Business (MBA or Engineering preferred)
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Job Description:

Drives category strategy working with the business for multiple complex, high business impact categories. Responsible for the development and effective execution of sourcing strategy for critical categories. Plans for and leads competitive sourcing events and other activities in support of category strategies. Develops effective negotiation strategies and conducts negotiations with their category suppliers to achieve category and business objectives. Manages risk mitigation efforts and oversees on-going monitoring activities. Forms and executes contracts with critical suppliers.

Essential Responsibilities

Leads the development and implementation of category strategy to optimize cost and improve operations. Applies best practice approaches to multiple critical categories. In conjunction with logistics personnel, implements optimal inventory strategies. Conducts analyses of supply, demand, market, commodity, supplier, contract and “should cost” modeling to determine category strategies Monitors industry information and trends, and supplier risk profiles, to keep category strategy current while supporting business requirements. Develops complex sourcing events and qualifies, evaluates and selects suppliers for targeted categories of spend.

Leads multiple tier I supplier relationship management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery and continuous improvement. Develops plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies, and drive continuous improvement and collaboration to bring value to both the company and the supplier. Develops performance-based scorecards and monitors, documents and evaluates supplier performance Leads the resolution of disputes with suppliers.

___

Leads negotiations to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business area requirements. Reviews, analyses, verifies and negotiates contract changes or additional work orders. Manage contractor claims to resolution and successfully minimize overall impact to cost and schedule. Ensures suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments.

___

Applies understanding of underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements . In collaboration with business area management, manages and defines the risk elements of the contract and assembles all necessary documentation for obtaining insurance. Limits client liability by ensuring all required documents and notices have been obtained and are satisfactory.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5 years sourcing, purchasing or logistics experience.
• Two years plus contract formation knowledge and experience, negotiation and project management skills preferred.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft® Office suite and significant experience with purchasing and sourcing systems is required.
• Demonstrated customer service skills. Strong interpersonal and relationship skills are required.
• Frequently required to attend meetings

Category Manager

Direct Hire

Palo Alto, CA - Hybrid ***On Site 2x a week***

$145,000 - $155,000

Option 1 Staffing is currently recruiting for a Category Manager with a TOP 10 hospital in the nation. As the Category Manager, you will be responsible for driving category-specific contract coverage and compliance, managing a portfolio of contracts covering medical supplies, non-medical supplies, and purchasing services with a focus on “best value” and Total Cost of Ownership.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the day-to-day point of contact for the Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and other supplier representatives.
• Analyzing current practices (financial, contractual, and operational data sources), standardizing, improving, documenting, and supporting the organization's Category Management processes throughout the lifecycle of initiatives.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts for products, product groups, and services in collaboration with operational business leaders.
• Monitor and evaluate contract volume, supply chain information system performance, purchasing volume and flow, and value-based selection reporting and outcomes.
• Ensure policies are followed across the organization through education to hospital departments and coordination with Finance, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management.
• Provide input to directors of sourcing and suggest/implement changes and enhancements as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 5 years experience in healthcare Sourcing, Value Analysis, Procurement, or category management, in a clinical setting
• Experience with services - identifying and bringing on services for HR, Marketing and/or Consulting

If this role piques your interest, apply now and we’ll dive into the details with you.

Option 1 Staffing is an award-winning, statewide, recognized leader in staffing and recruiting, specializing in placing the highest caliber of Non-Clinical Healthcare, Information Technology, Supply Chain, Administrative/Office, and Accounting/Finance professionals in contract and direct-hire opportunities. We work with top and emerging companies in the Technology and Healthcare industry.

We Offer:

• Excellent opportunity to work for an outstanding, large, and growing company!
• Awesome Benefits!
• Excellent salary!
• Medical Insurance
• 401K

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“Top Performer Award”

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Member American Staffing Association Since 1991.