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Category Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Product Category Director - Separation

Erie, PA

$225K - $236K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Product Category Director - Separation The Company Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We're a fast growing, publicly traded ...

Director Region Category Strategy

Birmingham, AL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director Region Category Strategy is responsible for driving growth, profitability, and strategic market leadership in a specified product category. This role blends product category management ...

Director Region Category Strategy

Birmingham, AL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director Region Category Strategy is responsible for driving growth, profitability, and strategic market leadership in a specified product category. This role blends product category management ...

$120 - $180/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director Region Category Strategy is responsible for driving growth, profitability, and strategic market leadership in a specified product category. This role blends product category management ...

New

Director Region Category Strategy

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director Region Category Strategy is responsible for driving growth, profitability, and strategic market leadership in a specified product category. This role blends product category management ...

New

Director of Rehab

Chicago, IL · On-site

$43 - $48/hr

Job ID 2026-34011 # of Openings 1 Category Director of Rehab Type FT Recruiter Lynsey Recruiter Phone Number 662-784-0620 Minimum USD $43.00/Hr. Maximum USD $48.00/Hr.

Category Manager

Westlake, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities: * Assist Category Directors with Center of Store * Pull and analyze data that lead to meaningful and actionable insights, make thoughtful and fact-based recommendations for ...

Showing results 21-40

Category Director information

See salary details

$72K

$114.4K

$192.5K

How much do category director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for category director in the United States is $114,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a category director?

Category Directors are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing a specific category of products or services within a company. They develop and implement strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and market share for their assigned category. Their role often involves analyzing market trends, managing supplier relationships, coordinating with marketing and sales teams, and optimizing product assortments. Category Directors play a key role in decision-making and are essential for driving business growth in retail, consumer goods, and similar industries.

How does a category director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve category growth?

Category Directors play a pivotal role in working closely with cross-functional teams such as marketing, supply chain, sales, and finance. They regularly coordinate with these groups to develop and execute category strategies, analyze market trends, and optimize the product assortment. Regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and data-driven decision-making ensure alignment across departments. This collaborative environment not only drives category growth but also fosters innovation and efficiency within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Category Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Category Director, you need strong analytical skills, strategic planning abilities, and deep knowledge of category management, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with category management software, data analytics tools, and ERP systems is commonly required, along with certifications like Certified Professional in Category Management (CPCM) being advantageous. Outstanding leadership, negotiation, and communication skills help drive cross-functional collaboration and supplier relationships. These qualifications are essential for developing effective category strategies, optimizing profitability, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

What is the difference between Category Director vs Product Manager?

AspectCategory DirectorProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple product categories, develops category strategies, manages category teamsManages individual products or features, defines product vision, coordinates with cross-functional teams
Required SkillsStrategic planning, market analysis, leadership, cross-category coordinationProduct development, user experience, project management, technical understanding
Work EnvironmentCorporate, retail, or manufacturing settings focusing on broad category managementTech companies, startups, or any industry with product development focus

The main difference is that a Category Director oversees multiple product categories and develops broad strategies, while a Product Manager focuses on individual products or features. Both roles require strategic thinking and industry knowledge, but the scope and focus differ significantly.

More about Category Director jobs

What cities are hiring for Category Director jobs?

Cities with the most Category Director 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 Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Category Director jobs include:

Infographic showing various Category Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,363 per year, or $55 per hour.

Product Category Director - Separation

Elkay Manufacturing

Erie, PA

$225K - $236K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Product Category Director - SeparationThe Company

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We're a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow.

Named by Newsweek as One of America's Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today's leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you'll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com.

If you're ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family!

If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally.

The Director of Separation is a leadership position responsible for the development and implementation of Separation product growth strategies in conjunction with the Flow Systems business unit leadership and product management teams. This strategic leader is responsible for indirectly driving sales growth through partnership and alignment with our commercial leaders and bringing forth market share gain opportunities with new and existing customers.

Reports to: General Manager, Flow Systems

Key Focus Areas

Strategy Deployment

  • Act as the primary owner for Annual Improvement Plans (AIP), leveraging X-Matrix, and the Zurn Business System (ZBS) to translate revenue targets into tactical, field-level workstreams.

  • Formulate and deploy dual-pronged GTM strategies, balancing the long-cycle Specification Motion (driving Basis of Design with engineering firms) with the high-velocity Stocking Motion (targeting MRO service contractors).

  • Establish and lead weekly, and monthly reporting cadences and visual management to maintain execution momentum and provide high-level updates to executive leadership.

Financial and Portfolio Management

  • Manage category P&L and portfolio performance, utilize financial modeling and data visualization tools to monitor regional profitability and drive resource allocation.

  • Lead the separation business development, partnering with the commercial team to forecast accurately and deliver on sales expectations.

  • Design and execute pricing strategies, balancing competitive net-pricing and promotional incentives with margin mitigation to drive profitable growth

Product Lifecycle Management

  • Lead the end-to-end New Product Introduction process, managing the lifecycle from initial business case and concept through full commercial launch.

  • Direct cross functional execution across engineering, operations, marketing, and sales to ensure new product rollouts hit launch milestones and target margins.

  • Lead product innovation strategy in conjunction with Flow Systems product management and engineering departments, identifying product gaps and new opportunities within the separation business.

Sales Enablement & Business Development

  • Drive Separation specifications through tactical alignment with the specification team on targets and priorities, alongside strategic alignment with industry partners.

  • Direct the municipal strategy to secure Approved Product List (APL) status and mass approvals across complex code jurisdictions, utilizing regulatory compliance as a competitive advantage.

  • Partner with product marketing teams to develop the required collateral and positioning of products within the sales channels.

  • Drive the continuous development and enhancement of customer-facing digital tools, including next-generation sizing tools, TCO/ROI calculators, and legacy crossover guides.

Cross-Functional Team & Field Leadership

  • Recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing commercial team consisting of National Sales Managers, Product Managers, and specialized Municipal Business Development Managers (BDMs).

  • Direct Regional Sales Managers (RSMs) and independent rep agencies, arming the field with distilled competitive intelligence, localized training programs, and optimized quota structures.

  • Present launch status and strategic plans directly to the executive leadership team.

Qualifications / Requirements & Capabilities

  • Bachelor's degree with a focus on Marketing, Engineering, Business, or related discipline required.

  • 10+ years of related sales and/or product management experience in the field.

  • Experience with water management and plumbing products.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Customer Focus - Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.

  • Action Oriented - Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.

  • Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

  • Drives Results - Consistently achieves results.

  • Persuades - Uses compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others.

Total Rewards and Benefits
  • Competitive Salary
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
  • Matching 401(k) Contribution
  • Health Savings Account
  • Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Annual Bonus Eligibility
  • Educational Reimbursement
  • Matching Gift Program
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan - purchase company stock at a discount!

**THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.**

Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran