Sr. Category Manager

Job Summary

This role reports to the VP of Category Management and is responsible for executing the company’s strategy of providing solutions for growth with a heavy focus on our key customers within the Retail Channel.  The Senior Category Manager works cross functionally with Product, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain/Operations, Business Insights and Marketing teams to execute the product priorities and drive mutual growth for Dorman and our Retail customers. The Senior Category Manager is the go-to-market expert for their assigned categories, and they work to surface and execute the largest organizational product opportunities through understanding of the product category value proposition and market competition.  This role will drive product adoption and excellence in execution through strategic assortment, merchandising, pricing and shelving recommendations anchored in a specific line review process and cadence with our Retail partners. 
Additionally, this role is a highly visible role that will assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the VP of Category Management for additional career development and acceleration. 
 

Primary Duties

• Leads the development of go-to-market strategy and execution for assigned front-of-store categories within Dorman’s Retail Business Unit
• Provides ongoing communication and support to Sales and all other key stakeholders to ensure go-to market strategy/channel tactics and customer plans align with overall strategic direction of Strategic Business Unit (SBU).
• Plays lead role in developing and executing line reviews focused on front-of-store excellence in Assortment, Merchandising, Shelving & Pricing solutions to maximize sales and profits for Dorman and its Retail Customers 
• Keeps up-to-date on market trends of assigned categories to include but not limited to; key customer line review timing, ongoing market positioning vs all competitors, ensuring proper market/product positioning, ensuring speed to market customer penetration, proper depth and breadth of product placement in customers supply chain to maximize sales and profitability.
• Understands assigned categories commercialization needs, creates applicable tools to gain or defend market share and leads the communication of these tools to Sales, Product, Business Insights, Marketing and Demand Planning teams.
• Assists Sales team in creating and delivering high-impact presentations to key customers
• Works directly closely Product Management and Strategic Pricing Manager to ensure revenue and profits are maximized for Dorman and Customers through strategic pricing recommendations
• Leverages KPI reporting tools for use within the sales force for assessing the customer level performance of new product introductions, as well as predictive analytics for future programs.
• Other duties as assigned by VP of Category Management
   

Qualifications

• Have a solid understanding of National Retailers and go-to-market sales execution strategies
• Ability to interpret needs of Sales to provide creative solutions for business that deliver company objectives
• Critical/ analytical/ strategic thinking skills and ability to organize own work and set priorities
• Ability to engage, lead and inspire others
• Physical Requirement: Capability to lift 20 pounds. 
• Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach, swivel, carry items from one building to another, and speak and actively listen.  Noise level is usually moderate.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing required; MBA preferred
• 5+ years of related experience in Sales, Category Management, and/or Product Management/Development.