Category Manager

Hour: Monday - Friday; 8am-5pm

After a period of in-person training and time working onsite with your team, this role has the option to work remotely (in WI only at this time). In general, this timeframe tends to be around 3-4 weeks; may be dependent on training progress. Note that there will be situations when someone may choose or be asked to return onsite which would be coordinated and scheduled in advance.

4imprint Group plc is a leading direct marketer of promotional products operating across North America, the UK and Ireland. The Group has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 250. The Group has grown rapidly, consistently achieving double digit organic revenue growth and in 2022 surpassing the strategic target of $1bn in revenue. With a proven business model and a clear strategy, the Group's expansion and success is set to continue. We work with businesses and organizations of all kinds to provide them with personalized promotional products. A small part of their job is the biggest part of ours - that's why one of our core values is to provide remarkable service. When you work here, you'll be treated with the same level of respect and positive attitude.

As a Category Manager, you are responsible for US and Canada product management. You'll be expected to have strong organizational skills, along with a keen sense of product and market trend knowledge. You will build your categories in line with 4imprint strategic initiatives and drive growth through collaboration with cross-functional including Supplier Operations, Marketing, Information Management, Distribution Center, Pricing Groups.

Here's what a typical day might look like. Other duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrate the eight core principles that guide every 4imprint teammate daily: Honesty, Curiosity, Collaboration, Flexibility, Accountability, Empathy, Positive Attitude, Humility.

Product Knowledge

• Proactively drive new products with key suppliers.
• Apply trend knowledge suitably to promotional product selection.
• Work with Director of Category Management on related projects that may consist of:
  1. Category analysis
  2. Print paginations
  3. New product selection and workflow
  4. Production and decoration opportunities
  5. Naming conventions and customer facing product information

Sustainability & Compliance

• Adapt company sustainability initiatives into all aspects of Merchandising role.
• Strong collaboration with suppliers & compliance team required, including documentation/certifications.
• This role has a large degree of interaction with Supply Chain Compliance.
• Adjust role as needed to focus on sustainability efforts as they grow or shift.
• Become the 'expert' on sustainability in your perspective categories.
• Work with suppliers and brands to learn their sustainability initiatives and help guide those suppliers that look to meet 4imprint sustainability expectations.
• Vett sustainable product claims by gathering needed documentation, reviewing them and following up on any inconsistencies to ensure claims are accurate.
• Collect and provide accurate product information for sustainable materials, features, stories, workplaces, environment, and certifications for customer facing website data.

New Product

• Develop and maintain key suppliers' launch schedule.
• Organize new product information as it's received.
• Select new product for assigned categories taking into consideration:
  1. Guidance from Director of Category Management
  2. Approved supplier and decorator development strategies
  3. Existing products
  4. Compliance requirements-including FDA, Prop 65 etc.
  5. Seasonality along with product needs for print and other Marketing plans
  6. Sustainable sourcing
  7. Suppliers' capabilities, production capacity and lead times
  8. Product safety & supply chain requirements
  9. Desire to maximize customer acquisition & retention
• Initiate product set up by finalizing initial product information (sku, product name, materials, etc.) into workflow program.
• Drive any specific requirements for copy, photography, video, product set up to ensure product is represented accurately.
• Set sell prices in line with 4imprint pricing structure and product positioning.
• Work in conjunction with Director of Category Manager on product development opportunities as they arise.

Existing Product

• Be the point person for questions on existing products from various departments, taking care of various questions from customers, customer service and other teams.
• Be alert to product changes from suppliers, forwarding to the correct teams to action changes in product presentation if needed.
• Consult with Director on any critical product or overarching category changes.

Analysis

• Analyze product category and supplier spend data on regular basis to ensure a thorough understanding of trends and product sales performance. Use to identify opportunities for new products, product development and product marketing initiatives.
• Monitor new and existing product sales at a sku level, using data to identify and drive any changes in positioning, pricing, and future new product decision making.
• Share category analysis results with Manager and make recommendations.
• Produce reports as needed for internal and external (supplier) meetings.

Product Marketing

• Identify products for inclusion in print, web, email and sample mailing marketing materials.
• Do so bearing in mind price points, markets, sustainable materials, customer type, seasonality and supporting product ranges.
• Produce suggested product and pagination reports for selected print pieces as assigned, drive any specific requirements for product presentation.
• Work with Manager, Merchandising Planning and Marketing teams as appropriate to explain rationale for product decisions.

Business Relationships

• Represent 4imprint in a professional manner, developing effective relationships in line with 4imprint's culture.
• Attend in person or virtual meetings with suppliers to review new product introductions and product development initiatives.
• Provide feedback to vendors on business relationship challenges, opportunities and best practices.
• Review suppliers spend reports, in advance of meetings identifying opportunities for development. Follow up after meetings on agreed action points.
• Develop and grow relationships with brand partners geared towards new product launch initiatives.
• Attend industry trade shows.

Other

• This role has a high degree of collaboration required with other 4imprint departments -Supplier Operations/Compliance, Merchandising Planning, Marketing to name a few.
• Maintain category trend knowledge through occasional retail store checks, in addition to industry trend reports.
• Willingness to work extended hours as needed, along with limited travel to vendors and other service provider locations.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally - approx. 10 to 20 days a year. Must be able to travel independently.

You might be a fit for this position if you (are):

• Proven ability to multi-task and continually reassess priorities.
• Have prior knowledge or ability to self-teach current broad-spectrum corporate sustainability practices and category specific organizations/materials.
• Someone with a desire to work in a collaborative environment.
• Adaptable and eager to learn.
• Continually observe and emulate key business initiatives discussed in vendor meetings by Manager.
• Have excellent communications skills verbally and in writing, and ability to develop effective internal and external working relationships.
• Able to lift and transport samples from location to location (up to 50lbs)
• Able to visually evaluate merchandise.

Required education/skills/experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related experience or equivalent experience.
• 5 years' experience in a merchandising, product planning or marketing role.
• General knowledge of Wellness & Safety products a plus.
• Understanding of product development process/offshore buying.
• Highly competent in using Microsoft office products such as Outlook®, Excel® and Word®, PowerPoint®, etc.
• Experienced in using BI software such as Tableau, Power BI, XLCube® (and other programs) for data analysis.
• Understanding of federal/state regulations relating to consumer products i.e., CPSC, Labelling, Prop 65.
• IT literate - able to quickly learn and adapt to new programs.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties, responsibilities, and physical demands listed in this job description.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others (verbally and in writing).
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to enter data.
• Work could be performed remotely (in WI only at this time) and at 4imprint, Oshkosh offices.

H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

4imprint has a drug-free policy.

Equal opportunity employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.