Oversees region and strategically manages assigned categories to increase sales, total gross profit dollars, and market share versus prior year. Develops and executes pricing, promotion, assortment, and shelf planogram strategies based on detailed performance analysis, industry best practices, and consumer trends. Partners closely with corporate merchants to maximize category performance and vendor relationships.

• Create a yearly category business plan using detailed analysis of historical results and current market trends.
• Meet or exceed projected sales and profit contribution goals.
• Develop and maintain a zone‑specific pricing strategy for each assigned category.
• Determine appropriate product assortment aligned with category strategies.
• Authorize new item introductions and discontinue items based on contribution potential.
• Measure total category contribution to the overall department.

• Develop and implement a promotional calendar aligned with division merchandising strategy.
• Track post-promotion results for sales, profit, and share growth.
• Conduct in‑depth post‑promotional analysis at the item and category level.
• Plan ads and displays that support category plans and department initiatives.
• Design schematics and recommend adjacencies that strengthen category roles.

• Maintain weekly, quarterly, and annual scorecards tracking sales, gross profit dollars, and category share.
• Create sales and gross profit projections at the category level; roll up projections to the department and division.
• Conduct deep analytical reviews to drive category improvement and strategic decision‑making.

• Serve as the primary divisional contact for all vendors within assigned categories.
• Meet regularly with vendors for deal negotiations and business updates.
• Work closely with Procurement to communicate category and promotional plans, ensuring desired service levels and optimal inventory positions.
• Attend key vendor planning meetings to influence long‑term category strategy.
• Maximize vendor funding and ensure efficient use of vendor dollars.

• Coordinate and communicate category plans with stores, merchandising, procurement, and other division teams.
• Work collaboratively with corporate merchandising to implement programs.
• Visit stores to observe category execution and validate effectiveness of merchandising strategies.
• Support and implement Corporate initiatives at the division level.

• Provide direct supervision to assigned office support staff.
• Participate in personnel actions including interviewing, hiring input, and performance evaluations.
• Identify development needs and coordinate training for team members.