Director - Category Management - SalonCentric Job Listing at SalonCentric in Clearwater, FL (Job ID 238842)

Description

POSITION: Director, Category Management 
DEPARTMENT: Category Management
REPORTS TO: VP, Category Management 
LOCATION: National Operating Center, Clearwater, FL

SUMMARYThe Director, Category Management is a strategic leadership role guiding the vision and execution of a portfolio of brands and/ or category of business within the professional beauty market. This role manages the end-to-end lifecycle, encompassing strategic go to market planning and the cultivation of strong market positioning for their business. 

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with executive presence who is able to navigate complex coordination within a matrixed environment.  This role requires seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams—including Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance—to execute a comprehensive merchandising strategy across stores, commercial sales, and E-Commerce.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Merchandising & Brand Development

• Strong Brand Partnerships are a priority!
• Category Leadership: Champion a multi-year strategic vision for assigned category of business and/ or portfolio of brands. 
• Assess portfolio white space and develop line architecture to support the evolving needs of the professional.
• Launch & Market Strategy: Drive high-impact brand launches. Lead in-depth analysis of global trends and translate insights into actionable sales strategies.
• Financial Performance: Achieve ambitious sales, profit, and inventory turnover goals through meticulous forecasting and data-driven promotional planning.
• Lifecycle Management: Formulate strategic exit strategies for underperforming items to optimize portfolio health and resource allocation.

Leadership & People Management

• Plan and Lead milestone meetings for the department.
• Lead and develop a team of merchants aligned to shared goals and metrics.
• Influence and inspire cross-functional teams to execute against strategic vision to deliver sales goals.
• Operational Leadership: Model a culture of accountability and excellence, establishing clear priorities to meet channel goals related to sales, inventory, and productivity.

Operational Excellence

• Policy & Financial Oversight: Ensure strict adherence to company standards regarding inventory control and loss prevention. Conduct deep-dive financial reviews to strategically react to business trends.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technology and process innovations to enhance departmental efficiency.
• Strategic Engagement: Conduct regular field visits and store audits to ensure consistent brand representation and gather market insights.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; MBA highly preferred.

Experience

• 8-10+ years of progressive leadership in retail management, merchandising, or brand development.
• Financial Acumen: Proven success in large-scale P&L management, budget oversight, and driving top-line sales growth.
• People Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead large teams through organizational change and influence executive-level stakeholders.
• Negotiation: Extensive experience leading high-stakes contract negotiations with major partners.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in beauty, cosmetics, or professional salon industries is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Executive Presence: Ability to inspire confidence and influence senior leaders across a matrixed organization.
• Strategic Thinking: Superior ability to analyze complex data and formulate bold decisions that drive market leadership.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex narratives to large audiences and executive boards.
• Problem Solving: Advanced capability to address ambiguous challenges with data-driven, innovative solutions.
• Technological Proficiency: Advanced skills in ERP systems, CRM, and analytics tools (Microsoft Office Suite).

What's In It For You:

• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 Days in Office, 2 Days Work from Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning & Development Opportunities for Career Progression (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs