Manager, Category

Position Summary:

Direct Supply is building the future of healthcare technology with industry-leading products, solutions and platforms to help improve the lives of millions of seniors and those who care for them.

In the Manager, Category position, you'll lead the strategy and execution of category management, optimizing product offerings, vendor partnerships, and pricing strategies to drive profitability and customer engagement. You'll own category-level P&L performance, leverage data-driven insights to refine decision-making, and collaborate cross-functionally to enhance supply chain efficiency, product innovation, and market differentiation. Your leadership will ensure sustained category growth and impact.

Skills Needed:

• Drives Accountability & Results - Sets clear goals and ensures team members deliver top-notch results. Uses data and tech to boost accountability, pushing everyone to excel individually and as a team.

• Leverages AI & Business Insight - Leads with an AI-First mindset infusing technology into customer solutions and workflows. Harnesses the power of AI and data to cut through noise and inform decisions. Blends business savvy, financial acumen, industry knowledge, and tech expertise to set priorities.

• Champions Innovation - Propels teams to unlock value with cutting-edge, tech-enabled innovations. Stays ahead of the tech curve, ready to embrace the next big thing. Leads with an entrepreneurial mindset and takes calculated risks.

• Develops and executes supplier and customer strategies while owning financial performance and managing complex category implementations.

• Ability to lead high-impact initiatives from strategy through execution, ensuring alignment with customer needs, profitability goals, and cross-functional objectives.

What You'll Do and Impact:

• Define and execute category strategies, including supplier partnerships, customer engagement, and competitive positioning.

• Develop national brand and private label assortments to exceed customer expectations while maximizing profitability through negotiated product costs, rebates, and supplier-funded revenue.

• Collaborate with global supply chain partners to develop private-label offerings aligned with strategic objectives.

• Drive the creation of comprehensive programs and services that create value beyond the core product portfolio.

• Lead cross-functional efforts to enhance customer experience, minimize backorders, and improve supply chain performance.

• Optimize product selection, pricing strategies, and promotional planning to accelerate revenue growth and margin expansion.

• Conduct market research and category analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and competitive insights.

• Lead vendor negotiations to secure optimal terms that align with business objectives while driving cost savings and revenue growth.

• Oversee Portfolio Analyst and Category Marketing teams, ensuring strategic alignment in pricing, product marketing, and promotional initiatives.

• Work cross-functionally with supply chain, merchandising, sales, and marketing teams to ensure seamless execution.

• Own P&L performance for the category, monitoring key performance metrics and adjusting strategies as needed.

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular category performance reports.

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field (MBA preferred)

• 7+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, procurement, or retail strategy.

• Expertise in market research, data analytics, and supplier negotiation.

• Experience leading teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

• Proficiency in leveraging AI-driven insights, dynamic pricing models, and business analytics tools.

Additional Items of Interest:

• Preferred experience in healthcare, senior living, or B2B product categories.

• Certifications in category management, procurement, or supply chain preferred.

Job to be performed in the location listed. Generous benefit package available. Click here to learn more.

Direct Supply, Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers committed to diverse workforces.

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