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Category Management Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The position requires solid expertise in category management and strategic sourcing, with the ability to lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives, manage supplier relationships, and deliver ...

The Category Management Analyst will own customer-facing category storytelling, line-review execution, and assortment and shelf (planogram) recommendations across assigned retail accounts for ...

About us Reporting into a Category Manager (Band D), the Category Buyer is responsible for daily strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area(s). The role will assist the ...

As a Lead II, Category Management in ASM's global sourcing team, you will develop and manage a resilient supplier ecosystem within the Advanced Materials category-an essential set of components ...

As a Category Manager , you will play a critical role on the Walmart Advisor Team, helping shape the future of the Walmart team including impulse, take home, seasons, and Sam's Club. You will act as ...

Our client is seeking a Category Management Analyst to lead customer-facing category analysis, line-review execution, and assortment and shelf recommendations for assigned retail accounts. This role ...

Buyer, Category Management

Waltham, MA · On-site

$82K - $96K/yr

About us Reporting into a Category Manager (Band D), the Category Buyer is responsible for daily strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area(s). The role will assist the ...

Category Management Analyst

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

The Analyst, Category Management supports the Coffee & Beverage Division by mining consumer, shopper, category, customer and marketplace data, to uncover leverageable insights that drive strategic ...

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for building a national category strategy by researching suppliers, performing RFPs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and also executing that ...

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for building a national category strategy by researching suppliers, performing RFPs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and also executing that ...

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Category Management information

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$72K

$114.4K

$192.5K

How much do category management jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for category management 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 category management?

Category Management is a strategic approach to procurement or retailing where products or services are grouped into categories to optimize their management, sales, and profitability. Category managers analyze data, market trends, and consumer behavior to make decisions on pricing, assortment, promotions, and supplier relationships. The goal is to maximize value for both the business and the customer by treating each category as a distinct business unit. This approach is commonly used in retail, FMCG, and procurement industries to drive efficiency and competitive advantage.

How does a category manager typically collaborate with other departments to drive sales and profitability?

Category Managers frequently work cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, supply chain, sales, and finance. They collaborate with marketing to develop promotional strategies, with supply chain to ensure product availability, and with sales to align on customer needs and priorities. This teamwork helps optimize product assortments, pricing, and placement, contributing directly to increased sales and profitability. Regular communication and alignment meetings are common, making strong interpersonal and negotiation skills key to success in this role.

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

To thrive as a Category Manager, you need strong analytical skills, market knowledge, and experience in procurement or merchandising, often supported by a business degree. Proficiency with data analysis tools, ERP systems, and category management software is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills help Category Managers collaborate effectively with suppliers and internal teams. These skills are vital to optimize product assortments, drive profitability, and ensure a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What is the difference between Category Management vs Product Management?

AspectCategory ManagementProduct Management
Primary FocusManaging product categories to optimize sales and profitabilityOverseeing the development and lifecycle of individual products
Work EnvironmentRetail, wholesale, and supply chain industriesTechnology, software, and consumer electronics industries
Required SkillsMarket analysis, supplier negotiation, inventory managementProduct development, user experience, roadmap planning
Common CertificationsSupply chain, merchandising, or retail management certificationsProduct management certifications like Scrum, Agile, or PMP

While both roles involve strategic planning, Category Management focuses on optimizing entire product categories within retail or supply chain environments, whereas Product Management centers on developing and managing specific products, often in tech industries. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or job focus.

What does a category management get paid?

The average salary for a category management professional typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles or those in large companies may earn higher salaries, and skills in data analysis and vendor management are often valued.
More about Category Management jobs

What cities are hiring for Category Management jobs?

Cities with the most Category Management job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Category Management jobs?

The most popular types of Category Management jobs are:

What states have the most Category Management jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Category Management job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,363 per year, or $55 per hour.

Director, Category Management

Sunstar

Schaumburg, IL • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Join us and become part of our global team, where together, we can achieve success and contribute to a better future.

Why Work at Sunstar? Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, health and beauty, healthy home, safety and technology.

Position Summary:

The Director of Category Management will be a key member of the US business leadership team, reporting to the US General Manager and responsible for building, developing, and leading a transformational category management team focused on driving brand and category growth to deliver both short and long-term strategic and financial objectives.

In this role, the Director of Category Management will develop customer relationships to maximize the brand’s retail brand position, investment productivity and overall thought leadership across an omnichannel consumer experience. This leader will also have the opportunity to build and develop a new team adding category management and shopper insight capabilities to Sunstar.

A successful category management leader will have a demonstrated growth mindset, work with multiple priorities, and manage ambiguity as part of a fast-paced, high-performance team with a bias for action.

Essential Job Functions: 

  1. Translating business priorities into category management strategies and tactics to achieve financial and strategic goals.
  2. Key contributor to the development of customer-specific presentation materials supporting sales team’s customer meetings for and joint business planning sessions.
  3. Engage with key strategic customers to develop brand, segment, and category growth strategies.
  4. Manage relationships for data providers and partners to best utilize and deploy value added insights across the organization.
  5. Develop, execute, and manage customer specific and ad-hoc projects, reports, analysis and competitive evaluation using multiple sources of data.
  6. Responsible for category “captain” related activities including category reviews and POG development.
  7. Prepare and communicate monthly business updates.
  8. Work collaboratively across key cross functional groups including sales, brand marketing, customer marketing, new products, and finance.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA strongly preferred.

Knowledge/Experience

  • CPG Category Management, Sales and Customer Marketing experience.
  • Strong financial acumen, understanding of profit/revenue drivers and ROI analysis.
  • Proven experience leading agencies partners to achieve business goals.

Skills  

  • Strong analytical skills and experience gathering and analyzing Nielsen, IRI, POS and other industry data sources.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Critical thinking & decision-making skills through data utilization to deliver results.

What Makes Sunstar Special is:

  • A business focused on health and wellness of people around the world
  • High Quality Products
  • Beautiful state-of-the-art facility
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Program and partnership with charitable organization
  • Strong value placed on company culture
  • Excellent, comprehensive insurance coverage that includes Medical, Vision, and Dental benefits. 
  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement
  • Employee discount on GUM products
  • 401K retirement plan with employer match (Pretax and Roth options)
  • 401K profit sharing contribution based on company performance.
  • Paid holidays and generous paid time off. Pet, Legal and Identity Theft Insurance Plans
  • Competitive bonus
  • On-site café
  • On Site Fitness Center
  • Corporate Perks Discount Program (Auto, Retail, Electronics, Entertainment, Computers, Personal Vacations, Cell Phones, Movie Tickets, Eating Out and Much More)
  • Beautifully maintained walking trails
  • Hybrid Schedule (certain departments)
  • Numerous employee appreciation events throughout the year.
  • Recognition and Rewards Programs
  • Anniversary, Birthday and New Hire Announcements

       If you’d enjoy a career helping others attain overall health through oral health, consider joining the Sunstar Americas, Inc. team.

      The employer is subject to certain governmental record keeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these laws, the employer invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender, and race or ethnicity. Completion of this data is voluntary and will not affect your opportunity for employment or terms or conditions of employment. Information collected will be used for EEO-1 reporting purposes only and will be kept separate from all other personnel records, only accessed by Authorized Users. Information collected will be kept confidential and will only be used in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government. When reported, data will not identify any specific individual. 

      The pay range for this position of Director of Category Management  is $162,974- $212,000. However, base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for an annual bonus as part of total compensation.