Category Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Maryland.

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement comprehensive category strategies that enhance revenue growth, market share, and profitability.

• Develop and oversee both short- and long-term category roadmaps.

• Establish brand-specific strategies for Anatometal, NeoMetal, Tilum, Painful Pleasures, and future portfolio brands.

• Identify opportunities for category expansion, assortment growth, new product development, and market differentiation.

• Act as the internal subject matter expert on body jewelry, piercing trends, customer behavior, and competitive activities.

• Create business cases and strategic recommendations for product launches, assortment expansion, and portfolio investments.

• Manage the product development process from concept to commercialization.

• Oversee the creation of new products, collections, materials, finishes, exclusive designs, and innovation initiatives.

• Develop product briefs that encompass customer needs, market opportunities, pricing, materials, design, technical specifications, and competitive positioning.

• Lead category participation in the NPDI process and track product performance after launch.

• Conduct market research and analyze customer needs, trends, competitors, pricing, launches, and positioning.

• Represent BAA at industry events, trade shows, conferences, and professional association gatherings.

• Cultivate relationships with professional piercers, studio owners, distributors, and industry influencers.

• Ensure that product offerings comply with ASTM, ISO, APP, and relevant standards and guidelines.

• Oversee the complete product lifecycle and optimize category assortments, pricing, inventory productivity, and customer satisfaction.

• Manage large SKU portfolios and drive SKU rationalization.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, Marketing, Ecommerce, Sales, Finance, and Executive Leadership.

• Support product launches through merchandising, promotional planning, content creation, and go-to-market execution.

• Ensure accurate product listings, specifications, technical information, imagery, and educational content.

• Develop product education, brand training, and customer-facing materials.

• Assist Sales with category insights, product knowledge, competitive positioning, and customer training.

• Analyze customer purchasing behavior, sales trends, feedback, and product performance data.

• Establish and monitor category KPIs, performance metrics, growth targets, ROI, and accountability.

• Prepare and present category reviews, business updates, and strategic recommendations to leadership.

• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through data analysis and convert findings into actionable plans.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Product Development, or a related field.

• 5 to 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Product Management, Merchandising, Product Development, Brand Management, or a related discipline.

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful category growth strategies.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to transform data into actionable business decisions.

• Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business intelligence tools like Power BI.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.

• Strong project management skills with the capacity to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in partnering with vendors, manufacturers, and external stakeholders.

• Preferred: experience within the professional body jewelry, piercing, jewelry, fashion accessories, or similar specialty consumer product sectors.

• Preferred: knowledge of implant-grade materials, ASTM standards, ISO certifications, and APP guidelines.

• Preferred: experience managing large SKU portfolios and complex product assortments.

• Preferred: experience with product lifecycle management, NPDI processes, and commercialization strategies.

• Preferred: familiarity with ecommerce, wholesale distribution, and omnichannel retail environments.

• Preferred: experience working with ERP, PLM, or product management systems.

• An MBA or advanced degree is a plus.

🏝️ Benefits

• A collaborative environment that values creativity, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• The chance to influence products used by professional artists and piercers globally.

• An opportunity to contribute to category-defining innovations.

• The privilege of working alongside passionate industry experts.