Category Manager

Summary

Vallen is an industry leader in delivering flexible supply chain solutions while creating value for customers, supply partners, and associates. The Category Manager manages and executes category strategies across assigned product categories to support profitable growth, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. The role focuses on assortment planning, supplier management, analytics, market insights, financial performance, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assortment Management: Manage core and extended product assortments based on customer demand, sales performance, and supplier capabilities with a strong focus on customer needs
• Category Planning & Execution: Support the development and execution of category plans, including assortment changes, supplier negotiations and value positioning
• Supplier Management: Manage supplier relationships, including performance reviews, cost initiatives, and ongoing collaboration to support category strategies
• Analytics & Reporting: Analyze sales, margin, and inventory data to monitor category performance, identify trends, and support data-driven decisions
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Sales, Sourcing, Marketing, and Operations to execute category initiatives and ensure alignment with business goals
• Market & Product Insights: Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and product opportunities; support new product introductions and lifecycle management
• Financial Performance Support: Support category-level margin, inventory, and working capital objectives through pricing actions, cost initiatives, and supplier programs
• The work environment may not be temperature controlled; must have the ability to work in extreme hot or cold environments; must be able to work in dusty environments
• Long periods working on a computer and performing repetitive keyboarding activities
• Extended day, evening, and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice
• May be required to handle hazardous materials and wear various forms of protective equipment (shoes, gloves, protective eyewear, etc.)
• May be required to drive a forklift and/or operate other standard warehouse equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• May be required to pass forklift and/or other warehouse equipment certifications (written and/or driving)
• Must be able to handle and work physical inventory; required to lift up to 25 lbs or greater with assistance following standard operating and safety procedures. Other physical requirements including, regularly being required to stand, walk, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, climb, and balance
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are required

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in category management, sourcing, merchandising, or product management, preferably within industrial distribution or B2B environments
• Solid analytical and financial skills with experience evaluating sales, margin, and inventory performance
• Ability to execute category plans and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive positioning
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across functions
• Effective communication and supplier relationship management skills
• Experience working with ERP systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• The work environment may not be temperature controlled; must have the ability to work in extreme hot or cold environments; must be able to work in dusty environments
• Long periods working on a computer and performing repetitive keyboarding activities
• Extended day, evening, and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice
• May be required to handle hazardous materials and wear various forms of protective equipment (shoes, gloves, protective eyewear, etc.)
• May be required to drive a forklift and/or operate other standard warehouse equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• May be required to pass forklift and/or other warehouse equipment certifications (written and/or driving)
• Must be able to handle and work physical inventory; required to lift up to 25 lbs or greater with assistance following standard operating and safety procedures. Other physical requirements including, regularly being required to stand, walk, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, climb, and balance
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are required

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in category management, sourcing, merchandising, or product management, preferably within industrial distribution or B2B environments
• Solid analytical and financial skills with experience evaluating sales, margin, and inventory performance
• Ability to execute category plans and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive positioning
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across functions
• Effective communication and supplier relationship management skills
• Experience working with ERP systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• The work environment may not be temperature controlled; must have the ability to work in extreme hot or cold environments; must be able to work in dusty environments
• Long periods working on a computer and performing repetitive keyboarding activities
• Extended day, evening, and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice
• May be required to handle hazardous materials and wear various forms of protective equipment (shoes, gloves, protective eyewear, etc.)
• May be required to drive a forklift and/or operate other standard warehouse equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• May be required to pass forklift and/or other warehouse equipment certifications (written and/or driving)
• Must be able to handle and work physical inventory; required to lift up to 25 lbs or greater with assistance following standard operating and safety procedures. Other physical requirements including, regularly being required to stand, walk, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, climb, and balance
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are required

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for Single, Employee + Spouse or Children, and Family Coverage
• 401(k) with discretionary company match of $0.50 on the $1.00 up to 6% of pay (U.S. positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits and Parental Leave (and any leave required under federal, state, and local laws)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Days): 80–160 hours of vacation time based on seniority, accrued monthly and prorated from date of hire. 40–56 hours of sick time per year based on seniority and advanced upon hire.
• Paid Time Off (Holidays): 8 scheduled holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement (based on position)
• Employee discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement opportunities
• Remote work