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Associate Category Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Summary of Position The Associate Category Manager, in support of a Sr. Merchant, is responsible for delivering the financial performance of their assigned departments and limited product categories.

Associate Category Manager

Medina, MN · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Associate Category Manager role is designed as the first step in category ownership. This role is intended to prepare the associate for a more advanced role in Category Management. major areas of ...

Category Manager

New Brighton, MN · On-site

$93K - $156K/yr

Category Manager Hypertherm Associates is seeking a Category Manager to join our Global Sourcing team to manage fabricated metal, formed metal, machined metal and machined non-metal. The role may ...

Associate Category Product Manager

Lino Lakes, MN · Hybrid

$75K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Associate Product Manager is a trusted, collaborative, and detail-oriented ... category management, or merchandise planning Hesitant to apply because you don't have all the ...

Meat Category Manager - Hybrid

Stillwater, MN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Prepackaged Meat Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category ... Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

Dairy Category Manager - Hybrid

Stillwater, MN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Dairy Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that ... Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

Associate Manager, Category Leadership

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$87K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a highly analytical, customer-focused category management professional to support Regional Grocery retailers across the Meals and Beverages portfolio. This role is ideal for someone ...

The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more details during the hiring process. What you'll do ... Associate degree or higher * 6 months of industry experience in E-Commerce, retail, customer ...

Associate Customer Sales Lead

Minneapolis, MN

$17.75 - $20.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Associate Customer Sales Lead for Cub Foods, Coborns, Lund Food Holdings, Piggly Wiggly ... Leverage Category Management resources and loyalty data appropriately. Knowledgeable of Campbell ...

Associate Customer Sales Lead

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$17.75 - $20.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... category management initiatives to drive customer decision making. The Associate Customer Sales ... Lead's primary focus is to grow net sales, profit and market share across the Campbell's Snacks ...

Associate Brand Manager

Saint Louis Park, MN · On-site

$90K - $117K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking an Associate Brand Manager to join our Marketing team in St. Louis Park, MN. This ... trade marketing, category management, sales, or a related field. * Experience working with ...

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Associate Category Manager information

See Minnesota salary details

$12

$24

$49

How much do associate category manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate category manager in Minnesota is $24.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.97 and $29.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate category manager?

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.

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.

How much do associate category managers make?

Associate category managers typically earn between $50,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

What does an associate category manager get paid?

An associate category manager's salary typically ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with more experience or in high-demand sectors can earn higher compensation, often supplemented with bonuses and benefits.

What are the most commonly searched types of Category Manager jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Category Manager jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Category Manager jobs in Minnesota?

For Associate Category Manager jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Category Manager jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Category Manager jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Associate Category Manager jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Associate Category Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Category Manager job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,774 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Associate Category Manager

rockler

Hamel, MN • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Summary of Position

The Associate Category Manager, in support of a Sr. Merchant, is responsible for delivering the financial performance of their assigned departments and limited product categories.  The Associate Category Manager role is designed as the first step in category ownership. This role is intended to prepare the associate for a more advanced role in Category Management.

 major areas of accountability
  • Manage all aspects of the product life cycle in selected product categories.  
  • Develop merchandising concepts, product and promotional plans that strategically drive category growth while continually evaluating product assortment to ensure customer satisfaction, increase market penetration and competitive advantage.
  • Demonstrate progressive understanding of category management concepts, processes, and procedures through mentoring with Merchandising leadership.
  • Determine standard and promotional product pricing through competitive analysis, industry research, store visits and product pricing strategies.  
  • Evaluate industry and competitive trends; define and act on new opportunities.
  • Assist in the negotiations with vendors to assure we secure the lowest price and most favorable terms utilizing incentives like but not limited to payment terms, rebates, co-op, allowance, returns and freight discounts.
  • Collaborate with buyers, merchandisers, marketing, creative team and distribution team to ensure the supply chain is managed efficiently and product is accurately represented in all channels and effectively distributed to our customer.
  • Serve as an industry and customer expert to ensure we stay ahead of our competition and present our customers with the best assortment of products in the marketplace.
  • Monitor and report on key metrics
  • Miscellaneous additional duties as assigned.
  • We offer a flexible work environment with a strong bias to in office collaboration and attendance.
 requirements for position
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. 
  • 1+ years’ experience in category management, merchandising, or buying, preferably in a direct marketing and retail environment.
  • Proficient with MS Office
  • Strong written and verbal communication, negotiating and vendor management skills.
  • Strong organizational, planning, problem-solving, and analytical skills
  • Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities.
  • Must be detail orientated and self-driven to maintain high productivity.
  • Excellent follow up and follow through capabilities
  • Woodworking experience/background preferred.
  • Local Applicants only - Hybrid Role - 3 days in office per week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and as required otherwise and typically remote Thursday and Friday