ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Category Development Manager Jobs in Washington, DC

Gallo

Market Development Manager

Washington, DC

$93K - $140K/yr

Job Req ID: 107577 Job Type: Full-time Work Category: Field, Application Close Date: 08/29/2026 ... A Taste of What You'll Do Join GALLO as a Market Development Manager-All Channels & Commodities and ...

New

BODY ART ALLIANCE

Category Manager

Hanover, MD

If you are passionate about product development, consumer insights, market trends, and creating products that professionals trust, we want to hear from you. Position Summary The Category Manager ...

Micron

Category Supplier Manager

Manassas, VA

$96K - $193K/yr

Micron is hiring a Cateogory Supplier Manager (Buyer) in Manassas, VA! This role will be the ... You will participate and/or lead in the development and implementation of category strategies and ...

Micron

Indirect Category Supplier Manager

Manassas, VA · On-site

... development, and ongoing capability and accountability strengthening. * Translate market ... Category Supplier Managers (as applicable) to align regional and global strategies. * Define and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCategory Development JobsCategory Development Manager JobsCategory Development Manager Jobs in Washington, DC

Category Development Manager information

See Washington, DC salary details

$33.4K

$74K

$113.8K

How much do category development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for category development manager in Washington, DC is $74,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $77,000.00 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 Washington, DC?

For Category Development Manager jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Category Development Manager jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Category Development Manager jobs in Washington, DC are:

Category Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Category Development Manager job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,022 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Category Developer - Off Premise

Washington, DC • On-site

Breakthru Beverage Group
Food and Beverage Wholesalers • 5 - 10K employees

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 87 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

216th of 426 rated retail wholesalers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about Breakthru Beverage Groupexternal

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Are you a current Associate? To be considered, you must submit your application through the internal Career Portal (Jobs Hub). Click here to access.
Time Type:
Full time
Remote Type:
Job Family Group:
Sales
Job Description Summary:
The Category Developer is the sales lead for their assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. They are focused against increasing share and velocity of their assigned commodity using tactics that help sell-in the right brands to customers and sell-out to consumers via planning and execution of brand activations. This role must maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the supplier accounts and be the 'go-to' consultant for the accounts. The Category Developer will be active with in-market events and education.
Our Category Developers will be required to participate in a two-week 'in-person' Academy Category Training.
Job Description:
Job Responsibilities:
Drive and delivery on sales and marketing goals of assigned category and brands
  • Serve as the expert and resource for the division or group in developing beverage and marketing strategies and plans for growth of assigned category.
  • Research trends, category, and portfolio to ensure that the group or division and company meet supplier goals as established.
  • Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews.
  • Plan high-end consumer activations within key accounts to elevate category awareness based on customer needs.
  • Drive real time market insights to inform, apply, unlock and accelerate growth.
  • Lead, organize, report, field intel and insights for assigned territory and categories.

Collaborate with retail sales teams, developing creative solutions to help drive business and growth in assigned categories across their assigned territory
  • Develop and deliver training modules to the sales team, customer, and supplier regarding sales trends
  • Determines specific areas in which the category has opportunity for growth (Territories, Accounts, etc)
  • Establishes merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier
  • Focus on increasing share and velocity of assigned category.
  • Ownership of account plan and execution based on brand plans
  • Obtains appropriate distribution of category throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands' features and benefits
  • Conduct staff educations and building of the category.

Maintain and build strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the assigned accounts
  • Participate in supplier and category specific work-with sales calls.
  • Attend educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks to build and maintain industry knowledge.
  • Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
  • Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.

Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder's supervisor, may also be required.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience
  • Minimum of 3 years in sales or industry related experience
  • Deep knowledge of category or responsibility that this role will support
  • Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle
  • Proficient PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software
  • Must be a results-oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills
  • Ability to multi-task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines
  • Analytic and Reporting skills
  • Utilize sound judgement and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume, team environment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5 years' experience in industry or related and category expertise experience; such as:
    • CSS Certification or WSET Spirits level 2; or
    • Category specific certifications (Whiskey or Tequila)
  • Off-premise, retail experience
  • Strong understand or background of consumer engagement mechanics

Physical Requirements:
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone
  • Required to be able to operate a motor vehicle and possess a driver's license.

Competencies:
  • Accountable for results which impact the department.
  • Selects best option from a set of defined procedures/ solutions using common sense and experience of similar situations.

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of individual jobholders may vary from the above description.
Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data/ranges, applicant's skills, and prior relevant experience.
Compensation
  • The base salary for this position is $65,000 - $70,000 with an annual car allowance of $6,000.
  • This position is eligible to participate in a 15% bonus program. Metrics and level of participation are determined annually.
  • This position is eligible for health care benefits, life insurance, time off benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan.

Breakthru Beverage Group is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call (708) 298-3536 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

What Breakthru Beverage employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply