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Category Development Manager Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Mohr Talent

Learning & Development Manager

Framingham, MA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Manage and develop Regional Trainers supporting multiple markets * Lead company-wide onboarding ... Direct Hire Category: Training & Development At MOHR Talent, your progress is our passion. We are a ...

New

CONVATEC GROUP PLC

Category Manager

Lexington, MA · Hybrid

You will be lead the development of short, medium and long term strategic plans for the category ... You will manage critical relationships (stakeholder and supplier) to ensure that Category ...

SharkNinja

Product Development Manager

Needham, MA · On-site

$124K - $155K/yr

Manager, Product Development -- Shark Robots Needham, MA (onsite) At SharkNinja, Product ... Serve as the category expert for the cross-functional org -- and take on high-visibility ...

ConvaTec

Category Manager

Lexington, MA · Hybrid

You will be lead the development of short, medium and long term strategic plans for the category ... You will manage critical relationships (stakeholder and supplier) to ensure that Category ...

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All JobsCategory Development JobsCategory Development Manager JobsCategory Development Manager Jobs in Boston, MA

Category Development Manager information

See Boston, MA salary details

$32K

$71K

$109.2K

How much do category development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for category development manager in Boston, MA is $70,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $73,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a category development manager?

Category Development Managers are professionals responsible for driving the growth and performance of a specific product category within a company. They analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and sales data to develop and implement strategies that maximize sales and profitability. Their role often involves collaborating with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams, as well as building relationships with retailers and key stakeholders. By identifying opportunities and optimizing product assortments, Category Development Managers help ensure their category remains competitive in the marketplace.

How does a category development manager typically collaborate with sales and marketing teams to drive category growth?

A Category Development Manager works closely with both sales and marketing teams by analyzing market trends, shopper insights, and sales data to identify growth opportunities within specific product categories. They often lead cross-functional meetings to align on strategies for assortment, pricing, and promotional activities. Effective collaboration ensures that marketing campaigns and sales initiatives are tailored to drive category performance and meet retailer objectives. This teamwork not only boosts category sales but also strengthens relationships with key retail partners.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a category development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Category Development Manager, you need strong analytical skills, commercial acumen, and experience in category management, often supported by a degree in business or marketing. Proficiency with data analytics tools, syndicated data platforms (such as Nielsen or IRI), and advanced Excel skills is typically required. Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking are valuable soft skills that help drive collaboration across teams and with clients. These competencies are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, optimizing product assortments, and building effective retail strategies in competitive markets.

What is the difference between Category Development Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectCategory Development ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusDeveloping and expanding product categories within a marketManaging individual products from conception to launch
Work EnvironmentMarket analysis, category strategy, cross-functional collaborationProduct lifecycle management, user experience, feature development
Required CredentialsBusiness or marketing degree, industry-specific knowledgeBusiness, marketing, or technical degree, product management certifications

While both roles involve strategic planning, the Category Development Manager focuses on broad category growth and market positioning, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on specific product development and lifecycle management. Understanding these differences helps align career goals and employer expectations.

What are popular job titles related to Category Development Manager jobs in Boston, MA?

For Category Development Manager jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Category Development Manager jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Category Development Manager jobs in Boston, MA are:

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Category Development Manager jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Category Development Manager job openings:

Category Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Category Development Manager job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,999 per year, or $34.1 per hour.

Associate Manager, Category Development

Socket.dev

Framingham, MA • On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Other

Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together.

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers’ needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We’re inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more.

The Associate Manager, Category Development turns customer, competitive, financial, and market insights into actionable product and portfolio recommendations that drive growth, profitability, and customer value.

This role partners across Merchandising, Finance, Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, and other teams to build fact-based business cases,identifycategory opportunities, and help bring meaningful product innovation to market.

What you will be doing:
  • Evaluate assortment performance, customer demand, profitability, and portfolio productivity toidentifygrowth opportunities.
  • Develop business cases for new products, product renovations, and portfolio opportunities, includingfinancial impact, risks, and assumptions.
  • Assess customer needs, competitive gaps, market trends, and category growth potential, then translate insights into clear recommendations.
  • Create product briefs and customer requirements, recommend positioning and value propositions, and support product development decisions.
  • Present recommendations and business cases to Merchandising leaders and support category reviews and annual planning discussions.
  • Partner across Finance, Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, and other teams to refine forecasts and advance initiatives.
  • Independently manage multiple analyses and projects while resolving analytical and operational issues.
  • Lead smaller category development initiatives and project teams while supporting less experienced team members.
What You Bring to the Table:
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn complex data into actionable recommendations.
  • Strong business and financial acumen with a customer-focused, results-oriented mindset.
  • Effective collaboration, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
  • Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Initiative, accountability, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
What’sneeded: Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Finance, Analytics, orequivalent work experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, product management, strategy, business analytics, finance, ora relatedfield.
  • Experience developing business cases, financial analyses, or product recommendations.
  • Experience analyzing customer, market, competitive, and/or financial data to support business decisions.
  • Experience presenting recommendations and analytical findings to business stakeholders.
  • Proficiencywith Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and business reporting tools.
  • Demonstratedability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
  • Experience partnering with cross-functional teams to achieve businessobjectives.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in retail, eCommerce, consumer products, privatebrand, or category management environments.
  • Experience building financial models, forecasts, and investment analyses.
  • Experience using customer research, market intelligence, and competitive analysis tools.
  • Experience leading project teams or coordinating cross-functional initiatives.
We Offer:
  • Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
  • Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7observedpaid holidays)
  • Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary rangerepresentsthe expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specificbasepay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.


Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

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