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Associate Category Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Category Manager

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Collaborates with the Category Manager(s) to select and purchase merchandise and services within a limited number of categories, and at the lowest possible cost. Assures that these purchases are made ...

The Associate Category Manager is a key liaison to Sales, Customer Service, Accounting, R&D, and outside vendors and a focal point in effective and efficient business administration. This position ...

Associate Category Manager

Atlanta, GA

$31.75 - $43.50/hr

With strong project management skills and attention to detail, this position supports the Category Management and Culinary vision by translating innovation strategies into effect in-market execution.

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Associate Category Manager information

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How much do associate category manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 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 category management team by analyzing sales data, assisting in developing product strategies, and coordinating with suppliers. They help optimize product assortments, monitor inventory levels, and contribute to pricing and promotional decisions, often using tools like Excel or category management software. This role typically requires strong analytical skills and knowledge of retail or supply chain operations.

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.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, roles such as senior media planners, media directors, or digital marketing managers often earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience and advanced skills in data analysis, negotiation, and media buying. These positions typically require strong industry knowledge, strategic thinking, and proficiency with media planning tools and analytics platforms.

What is the salary of a category manager?

The salary of a category manager typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior or specialized category managers may earn higher compensation, often including bonuses and benefits.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For an Associate Category Manager, salaries reaching $300,000 annually are uncommon and typically occur with extensive experience, seniority, or in high-cost markets. Higher-paying roles in management, finance, or specialized consulting often exceed this threshold, especially with bonuses and incentives included.
More about Associate Category Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Category Manager jobs? Cities with the most Associate Category Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Category Manager jobs? The most popular types of Category Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Category Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Category Manager jobs include:
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

Highmark Health

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead creation and implementation of sourcing and demand management strategies for assigned categories of spend, including developing RFx materials, analyzing proposals, negotiating, and selecting suppliers.

  • Strategically partner with business unit leaders to provide procurement expertise and support the implementation of business strategies through procurement initiatives.

  • Build and manage relationships with business executives to facilitate the sourcing process and collaborate with clients to select and award business to suppliers.


Highmark Health rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Company :
Highmark HealthJob Description :
JOB SUMMARY
This job is responsible for creating and driving strategic sourcing for an assigned category of spend while building strong client business oriented relationships by contributing to client strategy and objective setting. Supports the business partner, interfaces at the Director and Manager levels of the company, provides procurement services and expertise in the designated spend category for category strategy/plans, strategic sourcing and other strategic procurement processes such as supplier relationship management, spend performance management, demand and compliance management, internal spend and external market analysis, and category governance. Responsible for collaborating with key stakeholders on the development and implementation of annual and multi-year category strategies in order to achieve category goals, achieve business strategies and deliver sustainable category value.
This is a hybrid based role in Pittsburgh, PA - onsite 3 days a week. T, W, Th.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead creation and implementation of sourcing and demand management strategies for assigned categories of spend, manage the development of RFx materials, detailed analysis of proposals and vendor capabilities, negotiations and supplier selection. Plan, schedule and monitor category sourcing initiatives, ensuring proper resource allocation an on-time delivery of projects; exercise tight project management. Leverage key metrics to identify problem areas and adopt current and emerging business models with an entrepreneurial mindset and creative approach to drive best practice.
  • Strategically partner with business unit leaders and contribute to client strategy by providing procurement expertise and strategic partnering for purchasing opportunities. Counsel internal business unit leaders regarding purchasing processes, technology capabilities and policies to assist in the procurement lifecycle
  • Build and manage relationships with priority business executives, serves as a key member of the business unit leadership
    team to support implementation of business strategies through advanced procurement initiatives and team alignment, facilitate the entire sourcing process and closely collaborate with clients to select and award business to suppliers. Demonstrate a strategic business mindset, organizational savvy, present an executive-level presence, and balance multiple stakeholder interests simultaneously.
  • Under the direction of Procurement leadership, create and drive long-term category strategies designed to anticipate enterprise-wide requirements and achieve maximum life-cycle value while optimizing forecasted shifts in both supply markets, industry trends and supplier economic cycles. Monitor strategy implementations on-going performance and ensure key issues, risks, and opportunities are elevated to the appropriate level.
  • Lead the development and negotiation of contracts with new suppliers and/or renegotiate existing contracts to accomplish lowest total system cost and savings objectives
  • Conduct category spend analyses and reporting, supplier stratification, supply market and category industry research.
  • Perform ethical procurement practices of contracted goods and services which includes compliance with corporate and departmental policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations
  • Develop category expertise and leverage knowledge to proactively identify potential procurement opportunities through data analysis, category and industry knowledge, current and emerging business models and discussions with business units.
  • Other duties as assigned or requested.

EXPERIENCE
Required
  • 0-1 years of experience in a procurement role

Preferred
  • None

SKILLS
  • None

EDUCATION
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Business Administration/Management, Accounting, Marketing, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain or relevant experience and/or education as determined by the company in lieu of bachelor's degree.

Preferred
  • None

LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS
Required
  • None

Preferred
  • None

Language (Other than English):
None
Travel Requirement:
0% - 25%
PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS
Position Type
Office- or Remote-based
Teaches / trains others
Occasionally
Travel from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site
Rarely
Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (sales employees)
Never
Physical work site required
No
Lifting: up to 10 pounds
Constantly
Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds
Occasionally
Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds
Occasionally
Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.
Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.
As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company's Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy.
Furthermore, it is every employee's responsibility to comply with the company's Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.
Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We endeavor to make this site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact the email below.
For accommodation requests, please contact HR Services Online at HRServices@highmarkhealth.org
California Consumer Privacy Act Employees, Contractors, and Applicants Notice

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About Highmark Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

A national blended health organization, Highmark Health and our leading businesses support millions of customers with products, services and solutions closely aligned to our mission of creating remarkable health experiences, freeing people to be their best. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, we're regionally focused in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and eastern and northwestern New York with customers in 50 states and the District of Columbia. We passionately serve individual consumers and fellow businesses alike. And our companies cover a diversified spectrum of essential health-related needs including health insurance, health care delivery, population health management, dental solutions, reinsurance solutions, and innovative, technology solutions. Our financial position reflects strength and stability, with our year-end 2022 consolidated revenues totaling $26 billion. And we're proud to carry forth an important legacy of compassionate care and philanthropy that began more than 170 years ago. This tradition of giving back, reinvesting and ensuring that our communities remain strong and healthy is deeply embedded in our culture, informing our decisions every day.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and insurance services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US