ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Category Associate Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

rockler

Associate Category Manager

Hamel, MN · Hybrid

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.

rockler

Associate Category Manager

Hamel, MN · Hybrid

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.

Hypertherm

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 ...

Advantage Solutions

Category Manager

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$85K/yr

Category Manager Job Locations US-TX-Dallas | US-TX-Fort Worth | US-IL-Chicago | US-MN-Minneapolis ... internal sales associates, clients and customers. No day is ever the same in this job as the ...

Advantage Solutions

Category Manager

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$85K/yr

Category Manager Job Locations US-TX-Dallas | US-TX-Fort Worth | US-IL-Chicago | US-MN-Minneapolis ... internal sales associates, clients and customers. No day is ever the same in this job as the ...

Rockler

Associate Category Manager

Medina, MN · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

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 ...

UNFI

Meat Category Manager - Hybrid

Stillwater, MN · On-site

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.

UNFI

Dairy Category Manager - Hybrid

Stillwater, MN · On-site

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.

Best Buy

Category Management Specialist

Richfield, MN · On-site

$54K - $86K/yr

As a Category Management Specialist , you will support Category Teams in delivering both the in ... Associate degree or higher * 6 months of industry experience in E-Commerce, retail, customer ...

Best Buy

Category Management Specialist

Richfield, MN · Hybrid

As a Category Management Specialist , you will support Category Teams in delivering both the in ... Associate degree or higher * 6 months of industry experience in E-Commerce, retail, customer ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCategory Associate JobsCategory Associate Jobs in Minnesota

Category Associate information

See Minnesota salary details

$10

$19

$32

How much do category associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for category associate in Minnesota is $19.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $20.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Category Associate vs Product Coordinator?

AspectCategory AssociateProduct Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree often preferred; background in marketing, business, or related fields
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, retail, or warehouse environmentsOffice-based, collaborating with marketing, sales, and product teams
Employer & Industry UsageRetail, consumer goods, e-commerceManufacturing, retail, consumer goods
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in category managementClarifying responsibilities related to product lifecycle and coordination

While both roles support product and category management, a Category Associate primarily focuses on assisting with category analysis, inventory, and sales data. A Product Coordinator handles the coordination of product launches, marketing, and cross-department collaboration. The roles often overlap in retail and consumer goods industries but differ in scope and specific responsibilities.

What is a category associate?

Category Associates are professionals who support the management and growth of specific product categories within a company, often in the retail, e-commerce, or consumer goods sectors. They assist Category Managers by conducting market research, analyzing sales data, coordinating with vendors, and helping to develop effective pricing and promotional strategies. Their role is essential in ensuring that the assigned product categories meet sales targets and align with overall business objectives.

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

To thrive as a Category Associate, you need a solid background in data analysis, merchandising, and business acumen, often supported by a degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with retail management systems, Excel, and analytics tools like Nielsen or IRI is typically required. Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills help you collaborate with vendors and internal teams. These competencies are crucial for optimizing product categories, driving sales performance, and ensuring effective inventory and supplier management.

How does a category associate typically collaborate with other departments to achieve category goals?

Category Associates work closely with multiple teams such as marketing, supply chain, and sales to ensure the success of their assigned product categories. They often coordinate with marketing to develop promotional strategies, partner with supply chain to manage inventory, and support sales by providing data-driven insights on product performance. This cross-functional collaboration helps them understand market trends, address operational challenges, and drive business growth. Effective communication and teamwork are key to succeeding in this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Category jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Category jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Category Associate jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Category Associate job openings:
Category Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Category Associate job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,476 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Associate Category Manager

rockler

Hamel, MN • Hybrid

Other

Re-posted yesterday

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

Apply