Category Manager

Overview

Imperial Dade, a leading North American distributor, has a Category Manager (Industrial Packaging) role available! Join a strong and continuously evolving group, helping to continue to grow our business. If you’re eager for your next opportunity, Imperial Dade is a great place to take that next step.

The Category Manager will take ownership of assigned product categories for Industrial Packaging, developing expertise in market trends and leveraging insights for competitive pricing.

This role requires building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, negotiating vendor programs for best costs, and supporting sales teams with product requirements and go-to-market strategies.

The ideal candidate will have a background in managing multiple projects, leading item management efforts, and performing category assessments for Industrial Packaging to drive profitable growth for the organization.

Responsibilities

You will:

1. Manage assigned product categories for Industrial Packaging, ensuring performance and portfolio health.
2. Engage strategically with suppliers to implement profitable growth initiatives and explore opportunities for consolidation and expansion.
3. Cultivate strong internal partnerships to align on cost-saving initiatives, streamline integration efforts, and address local requirements, driving operational efficiency.
4. Negotiate vendor programs to enhance product positioning and margins involving Industrial Packaging.
5. Support item management initiatives, including product rationalization, private label expansion, and new product adoption to improve inventory turns and identify cost-saving opportunities.
6. Lead in contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and long-term partnerships that ensure profitability and supply chain stability.
7. Partner with the sales teams to align product requirements, pricing, and go-to-market strategies, helping to accelerate product launches and in-field customer testing to enhance market success.
8. Track supplier performance and explore volume consolidation opportunities to improve margins.
9. Collaborate with acquisition, procurement, marketing, and sales teams to support national strategies, streamline supplier integration, and drive supply chain enhancements for improved efficiency and scalability.
10. 20% travel is required.

Qualifications

You have:

1. 3 to 5 years of experience in Category Management involving Industrial Packaging is required.
2. Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field or equivalent experience.
3. Experience in Industrial Packaging, distribution, buying, inventory management, or supply chain roles is required.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Power BI, with adaptability to learn new technologies and software applications.
5. Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools is a plus.
6. 20% travel is required.

We offer a dynamic environment for our more than 7,500 employees to work, learn, and grow professionally. We value our people and strive to create rewarding career opportunities by offering competitive salaries and benefits (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) program with company match, a shared ownership program, life insurance, a generous paid time off package, educational reimbursement, paid family leave, and adoption assistance. We are excited to invite talented individuals with a passion for excellence to join our team.

Imperial Dade is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history, or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.