Senior Category Manager

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

📋 Description

• Oversee a diverse range of high-volume book categories within the Scholastic Dollars Catalog and Classroom Collections sectors.

• Formulate and implement strategic category plans that align with overall business goals.

• Set category priorities and assess performance to pinpoint potential growth avenues.

• Drive customer-centric product assortments, pricing strategies, and product presentation initiatives.

• Review and select relevant titles and products for redemption programs through thorough evaluation.

• Analyze product sales data, market research, and customer insights to guide selections and uncover trends.

• Collaborate with Scholastic Trade and Book Fair Category Management teams to enhance ordering efficiencies.

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with publishers and vendors.

• Negotiate product pricing, vendor agreements, and promotional support initiatives.

• Assess tariff regulations and their influence on costs, sourcing, and profitability.

• Work with Inventory Planning to devise inventory strategies.

• Offer item-level demand forecasts and purchasing suggestions.

• Monitor inventory productivity and sell-through rates while minimizing excess inventory risks.

• Partner with Product Marketing to devise effective promotional strategies.

• Spearhead the catalog merchandising strategy for the book category.

• Direct the E-Commerce team and E-Commerce Specialist in online product presentation.

• Aid the sales team in product training and educational efforts.

• Represent the Scholastic Dollars team during meetings, trade shows, and publishing conferences.

• Collaborate with Scholastic divisions and industry partners to identify trends and foster business growth.

• Enhance category management tools, systems, and processes.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop Assistant Category Manager(s).

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in category management or a similar role.

• Proven track record of identifying, analyzing, and leveraging category trends to shape product procurement and development strategies that enhance sales and profitability.

• Demonstrated capability to identify business opportunities, create and implement strategic initiatives, and assess performance against business objectives.

• Experience in publishing, children's toys, children's media, or educational products is preferred.

• A genuine passion for reading and a commitment to education.

• Strong dedication to Scholastic's mission of fostering a love for reading and personal growth in children.

• Ability to lead and manage people, projects, and cross-functional initiatives effectively.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and sound judgment.

• Capability to work autonomously to achieve results.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, organizational, and time management skills.

• Keen attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple priorities efficiently.

• Adaptability to changing business requirements and the ability to meet deadlines.

• Self-motivated and flexible in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace applications.

🏝️ Benefits

• Tuition assistance.

• Commitment to equal opportunity employment.

• Company-sponsored training programs.

• Opportunities for social and recreational activities.