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Associate Category Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zoro

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL

Associate Category Managers are key contributors to our growth in both sales and category expansion. The Category Management team is responsible for defining strategies for our key categories and ...

Zoro

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Associate Category Managers are key contributors to our growth in both sales and category expansion. The Category Management team is responsible for defining strategies for our key categories and ...

ULINE

Associate Category Manager

Waukegan, IL

Associate Category Manager Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an emerging leader with an eye for market trends? As an Associate Category Manager at Uline ...

ULINE

Associate Category Manager

Kenosha, WI

Associate Category Manager Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an emerging leader with an eye for market trends? As an Associate Category Manager at Uline ...

ULINE

Associate Category Manager

Milwaukee, WI

Associate Category Manager Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an emerging leader with an eye for market trends? As an Associate Category Manager at Uline ...

ULINE

Associate Category Manager

Glenview, IL

Associate Category Manager Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an emerging leader with an eye for market trends? As an Associate Category Manager at Uline ...

ULINE

Associate Category Manager

Pleasant Prairie, WI · On-site

Associate Category Manager Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an emerging leader with an eye for market trends? As an Associate Category Manager at Uline ...

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Associate Category Manager information

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How much do associate category manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate category manager in the United States is $25.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Category Manager vs Category Analyst?

AspectAssociate Category ManagerCategory Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; some roles may prefer experience in retail or supply chainBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; often entry-level
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with cross-functional teams, manages supplier relationships, and supports category strategiesAnalyzes sales data, monitors market trends, and provides insights to support category decisions
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in retail, consumer goods, and e-commerce companiesUsed across similar industries for data analysis and strategic support

The Associate Category Manager and Category Analyst roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, focusing on supporting category strategies through collaboration or data analysis. While the Associate Category Manager has more responsibilities in supplier management and strategy execution, the Category Analyst primarily provides insights through data analysis. Both roles are essential in retail and consumer goods industries, often working together to optimize product categories.

What does an Associate Category Manager do?

An Associate Category Manager supports the development and execution of strategies to optimize product categories within a retail or business environment. They analyze market trends, sales data, and customer preferences to help determine product assortment, pricing, and promotional tactics. Working closely with suppliers, marketing teams, and senior category managers, they aim to maximize category performance and profitability. This role often involves reporting, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure effective category growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Category Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Category Manager, you need strong analytical skills, business acumen, and a background in merchandising or supply chain, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in business or related fields. Familiarity with category management software, advanced Excel, and data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills enable standout performance in managing vendors and cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for driving category growth, optimizing product assortments, and ensuring profitability in a competitive retail environment.

How does an Associate Category Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve category goals?

An Associate Category Manager frequently works with teams such as marketing, sales, supply chain, and finance to ensure category strategies are effectively executed. This collaboration involves sharing market insights, coordinating promotional activities, and aligning on inventory planning to meet sales targets. Effective communication and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders are essential, as the role acts as a bridge between departments to drive category performance. Regular meetings and joint projects are common, providing exposure to various aspects of the business and opportunities for career growth.
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Associate Category Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Category Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,863 per year, or $25.4 per hour.
Associate Category Manager

Associate Category Manager

Zoro

Chicago, IL

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Create, manage and update reports regarding new suppliers, SKU productivity, sales performance, and assortment gaps.

  • Monitor the financial performance of categories and suppliers to measure against category product strategies and KPIs.

  • Work with suppliers to acquire comprehensive product information including specifications, images, pricing, and additional content.

Job description

Primary Function: 

At Zoro, we desire to have every product for every business need. Associate Category Managers are key contributors to our growth in both sales and category expansion. The Category Management team is responsible for defining strategies for our key categories and then finding and managing supplier relationships that allow us to add products and drive growth in those categories.
   

An Associate Category Manager's success will be defined by helping operationalize and accelerate the sales of the existing portfolio of products. The Associate Category Manager is responsible for supporting aligned Category Managers analyzing the business and executing tactics for assigned categories.  This position will work in a team environment with a focus on developing insights, identifying opportunities and communicating recommendations to lead future industry growth to our internal partners and external suppliers. In addition, they will drive and support activities that help Zoro sell more products and manage cost and profitability. The Associate Category Manager will execute reporting and analysis to support assigned product categories to inform on category and supplier performance, collaborate closely with cross-functional partners throughout the business, and participate in supplier relationship management. The Associate Category Manager will be a key liaison with internal partners to help drive customer experience and sales performance.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Create, manage and update reports regarding new suppliers, SKU productivity, sales performance, and assortment gaps
  • Continually and proactively monitor the financial performance of categories and suppliers to measure against the category product strategies and KPI's to ensure we are providing an awesome customer experience
  • Proactively identify areas within aligned categories for product expansion and product optimization. Take ownership over identified expansion and optimization activities with support of CM and/or Sr. CM
  • Work with suppliers to acquire comprehensive product information including product specifications, product images, pricing information, and additional product content; This effort will require cross-functional partnership as well as direct supplier interaction 
  • Collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams to execute on the category strategy

Qualifications: 

  • 1-3 years of experience in a related field is preferred
  • Experience in distribution, online marketplaces, wholesale, e-commerce a plus
  • Experience analyzing data, building presentations and communicating effectively through data 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Curious and rapid learning ability
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable to work in a fast-paced, agile environment
  • Ability to communicate in a clear and compelling manner in written, verbal, and interpersonal forms
  • Computer skills including building presentations, analyzing data, communicating information, and internet search techniques


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