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Category Manager Jobs in Rochester, MI (NOW HIRING)

Expertise and guidance to the plant buyer / plant management for the category. * Perform any other duties as assigned. * Support travel within region with regional and global colleagues. Your ...

Global Category Mgr. Position Summary The Buyer drives strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize cost, quality, and supplier performance while ensuring a reliable supply of direct materials. This ...

Global Category Mgr. Position Summary The Buyer drives strategic sourcing initiatives that optimize cost, quality, and supplier performance while ensuring a reliable supply of direct materials. This ...

The Senior Purchasing Manager will also provide updates through structured quarterly reviews with ... Lead a team of purchasing category specialists; set priorities, coach performance, and develop ...

The Senior Purchasing Manager will also provide updates through structured quarterly reviews with ... Lead a team of purchasing category specialists; set priorities, coach performance, and develop ...

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Brand Development & Product Marketing Manager Full-Time | Exempt About Quality Choice | CDMA ... Analyze category performance, consumer trends, customer insights, and competitive activity to ...

Be Seen First

Brand Development & Product Marketing Manager Full-Time | Exempt About Quality Choice | CDMA ... Analyze category performance, consumer trends, customer insights, and competitive activity to ...

Responsible for the strategic management and development of the Passenger Vehicle Control Systems OES category, including the planning and execution of initiatives that drive business growth ...

Responsible for the strategic management and development of the Passenger Vehicle Control Systems OES category, including the planning and execution of initiatives that drive business growth ...

Showing results 41-60

Category Manager information

See Rochester, MI salary details

$33.1K

$86K

$123.8K

How much do category manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for category manager in Rochester, MI is $85,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a category manager get paid?

The salary of a category manager typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Many also receive bonuses and benefits, and strong skills in data analysis and vendor management are valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Category Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectCategory ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusManaging product categories, optimizing assortment, and driving category salesDeveloping product strategies, overseeing product lifecycle, and ensuring product success
Required SkillsMarket analysis, supplier negotiation, inventory managementMarket research, project management, cross-functional collaboration
Work EnvironmentRetail, wholesale, or distribution settingsTech companies, manufacturing, or software industries

While both roles involve strategic planning and market analysis, Category Managers focus on managing entire product categories within retail or distribution environments, whereas Product Managers concentrate on developing and managing specific products throughout their lifecycle. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers target the right skills and career paths.

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 expertise in category analysis, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain management. Familiarity with procurement software, data analytics tools like Excel or Power BI, and ERP systems is typically required. Strong negotiation, analytical thinking, and communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for optimizing category performance, driving cost savings, and aligning purchasing strategies with organizational goals.

What does a category manager do?

A Category Manager is responsible for managing a specific group of products, known as a 'category,' within a retail or business organization. They analyze market trends, negotiate with suppliers, and develop strategies to maximize sales and profitability for their assigned category. This role often involves collaboration with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure products meet customer needs and business goals. Category Managers play a key role in product selection, pricing, promotions, and inventory management.

What are some common challenges a category manager faces when aligning category strategy with company goals?

Category Managers often face the challenge of balancing supplier interests, customer needs, and overarching company objectives. They must adapt to shifting market trends, manage cross-functional teams, and ensure that their category strategies drive profitability while staying aligned with brand values and long-term growth plans. Effective communication with stakeholders across procurement, marketing, and sales is crucial for gaining buy-in and executing successful initiatives. Flexibility and a data-driven approach are essential for overcoming these challenges and delivering value.
More about Category Manager jobs
What job categories do people searching Category Manager jobs in Rochester, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Category Manager jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What cities near Rochester, MI are hiring for Category Manager jobs? Cities near Rochester, MI with the most Category Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Category Manager job openings in Rochester, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 10% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,979 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Buyer Senior, Category Management

Schaeffler

Troy, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday


Schaeffler rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

304th of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company and its success has been a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership. As a partner to all of the major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, we offer you many development opportunities.  

Your Key Responsibilities
  • Support the creation of market analyses and implement category strategies.
  • Define, cross-divisionally or -functionally align, and implement profitable purchasing strategies and effective negotiation tactics in the assigned area.
  • Monitor the supply market continuously and manage and optimize the supplier portfolio to ensure quality, cost efficiency, on-time-delivery, sustainability and compliance with terms of contracts as well as legal regulations.
  • Negotiate prices and conditions in the context of SMA and manage contracts with suppliers.
  • Coordinate and steer assigned category including purchase price planning and define saving projects.
  • Understand and comply with all group directives.
  • Expertise and guidance to the plant buyer / plant management for the category.
  • Perform any other duties as assigned.
  • Support travel within region with regional and global colleagues.
Your Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Responsible for staying up to date on market data/changes/trends to support controlling costs/benchmarking best in class terms.
  • Liason between Schaeffler engine and transmission for the America's and the respective global team.
  • During Budget season - Monitor and validate the input from the GLB's in the Budget Planning Tool. Look for outliers and flag said outliers. Research and define the risk. Reconcile any part where pricing variance percent if over global guidance. Inputs plan price to budget and obtains agreement with Global lead buyer. Update forecast using Global Planning Tool submittal upload each month. Ensures alignment and leads budgeting process for their respective category.
  • Leads purchasing portions of regional and Global Sourcing Board activities and presentations.
  • External applicants must be authorized to work in the US without employment visa or other sponsorship.
Our Offering
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance  

  • Life insurance and 401k eligible with up to 6% company match 

  • Please see all our benefit offerings at Schaeffler Benefits

As a global company with employees around the world, it is important to us that we treat each other with respect and value all ideas and perspectives. By appreciating our differences, we inspire creativity and drive innovation. In this way, we contribute to sustainable value creation for our stakeholders and society as a whole. Together, we advance how the world moves.

Exciting assignments and outstanding development opportunities await you because we impact the future with innovation. We look forward to your application.

www.schaeffler.com/careers

Your contact

Schaeffler Transmission Systems, LLC 

David Moline 

+13302644383 

Schaeffler is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive equal employment opportunities and consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Keywords: Supply Chain Management;  


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