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Category Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Category Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

$66K - $91K/yr

The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category strategies to drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen supplier performance across direct materials ...

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

Analyze past promotional and product data and provide to the Merchant, Associate Merchants, Category Manager, for their use in forecasting, budgeting, managing assortments, conducting line reviews ...

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 ...

Analyze past promotional and product data and provide to the Merchant, Associate Merchants, Category Manager, for their use in forecasting, budgeting, managing assortments, conducting line reviews ...

Analyze past promotional and product data and provide to the Merchant, Associate Merchants, Category Manager, for their use in forecasting, budgeting, managing assortments, conducting line reviews ...

Category Manager

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Work with category suppliers to develop plans which contribute to the achievement of Network ... Or Associate's Degree with 5-7 years relevant industry and work experience * Advanced level of ...

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Category Associate information

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How much do category associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for category associate in the United States is $19.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $20.67 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 are Category Associates?

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, and why are they important?

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 cities are hiring for Category Associate jobs? Cities with the most Category Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Category jobs? The most popular types of Category jobs are:
What states have the most Category Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Category Associate jobs include:
Infographic showing various Category Associate job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,327 per year, or $19.9 per hour.
Associate Category Manager

Associate Category Manager

Johns Manville

Denver, CO • On-site

$66K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Johns Manville rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

218th of 516 rated manufacturers


Job description

Who We Are
Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and commercial roofing, along with glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Our products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy.
A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe. We are committed to delivering positive and powerful experiences, because we are successful only when our employees and customers thrive. We are passionate, we care about people, we perform at a superior level, and we protect others and our environments.
Pay Range
$66,600.00-$91,600.00 Annual
This is the base salary pay range that an applicant can expect to make upon hire. Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors. In addition, this position is eligible for an incentive bonus.
The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category strategies to drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen supplier performance across direct materials, indirect spend, and trading goods.
This role is designed for a developing procurement professional who contributes to measurable outcomes-such as cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and operational efficiency-while building foundational skills in sourcing, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Success in this role is defined by the ability to support and deliver against cost reduction goals, manage supplier relationships effectively, and proactively contribute to sourcing initiatives that improve business performance.
Key Performance Outcomes
1. Cost Savings & Category Support
  • Contribute to achieving annual cost reduction targets through sourcing initiatives and supplier collaboration
  • Support development and execution of category strategies aligned with business objectives
  • Identify and help implement cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and efficiency gains

2. Supplier Performance & Relationship Management
  • Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery, and cost expectations are consistently met
  • Monitor supplier performance and ensure contract compliance across all assigned vendors
  • Participate in supplier workshops to identify and capture annual savings and performance improvements

3. Sourcing Execution & Project Delivery
  • Support cross-functional projects focused on new supplier qualification, alternate materials, and cost reduction initiatives
  • Help drive sourcing activities that ensure uninterrupted and sustainable supply across manufacturing operations
  • Lead and deliver smaller projects or workstreams, collaborating with internal stakeholders

4. Data Analysis & Performance Tracking
  • Develop and maintain monthly scorecards and performance metrics to track savings, supplier performance, and category health
  • Use data and analytics to support decision-making and identify improvement opportunities
  • Provide insights and recommendations to leadership based on analysis of spend and supplier performance

5. Commercial & Contract Support
  • Assist in the development and implementation of contracts that support cost competitiveness and risk management
  • Apply foundational negotiation skills to support favorable commercial outcomes
  • Ensure contracts align with sourcing strategies and business needs

6. Professional Growth & Leadership Development
  • Demonstrate and develop JM Leadership Attributes through daily work and interactions
  • Build foundational expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category planning
  • Actively seek feedback, mentorship, and opportunities to expand scope and responsibility

Core Responsibilities
  • Assist in developing and executing sourcing and category strategies
  • Support cost reduction initiatives and track savings performance
  • Manage supplier relationships and ensure contract compliance
  • Participate in supplier engagements and workshops to drive improvements
  • Support cross-functional initiatives including new product development and process improvements
  • Maintain performance metrics, reporting, and scorecards
  • Ensure consistent supply of materials and services to operations

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 2+ years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain related experience
  • CPSM certification (or progress toward certification) preferred
  • Foundational knowledge of commodity management and sourcing practices
  • Basic negotiation and contract management skills
  • Understanding of financial analysis and cost drivers
  • Familiarity with e-sourcing tools and ERP systems (SAP preferred)
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present ideas and recommendations clearly
  • Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate across teams

#LI-DNI
Please Keep in Mind
If you do not meet 100% of these requirements, we at JM still want to hear from you. So, if you are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply so we can learn how your skills and talents can contribute to our team.
Benefits
Johns Manville (JM) offers a wide range of benefits to employees. Some are subsidized by the company and others are fully employee-paid. Health benefits include a choice of comprehensive medical plans, a dental plan, vision plan, wellness program and critical illness insurance. JM sponsors a 401(k) plan which includes a sizeable company match. JM offers paid vacation and also provides paid sick and parental leave for eligible employees.
Additionally, Johns Manville provides basic life Insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and business travel accident coverage. Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are available as well. The company also offers a variety of tax saving accounts; health spending account, traditional flexible spending account, and a dependent care spending account. JM also offers a tuition reimbursement program for undergraduate and certain graduate programs.
Johns Manville supports employee growth with vast educational opportunities and a company-wide mentoring program. This program pairs employees and leaders to grow skills, build stronger internal networks and strengthen the company's succession planning process. Johns Manville also offers soft and hard skills training facilitated by internal and external presenters. Our talent management team prioritizes the holistic growth of our workforce.
Diversity & Inclusion
Johns Manville believes diversity and inclusion in our workplace is critical for the long-term success of our company. We are committed to retaining, developing and attracting a diverse workforce that fosters an inclusive work environment in which all employees are treated with dignity and respect. This is the right thing to do for our employees, our company and our communities.
Incumbent must be physically able to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

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