Primary Function:

At Zoro, we desire to have every product for every business need. Associate Category Managers are key contributors to our growth in both sales and category expansion. The Category Management team is responsible for defining strategies for our key categories and then finding and managing supplier relationships that allow us to add products and drive growth in those categories.

An Associate Category Manager's success will be defined by helping operationalize and accelerate the sales of the existing portfolio of products. The Associate Category Manager is responsible for supporting aligned Category Managers analyzing the business and executing tactics for assigned categories. This position will work in a team environment with a focus on developing insights, identifying opportunities and communicating recommendations to lead future industry growth to our internal partners and external suppliers. In addition, they will drive and support activities that help Zoro sell more products and manage cost and profitability. The Associate Category Manager will execute reporting and analysis to support assigned product categories to inform on category and supplier performance, collaborate closely with cross-functional partners throughout the business, and participate in supplier relationship management. The Associate Category Manager will be a key liaison with internal partners to help drive customer experience and sales performance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create, manage and update reports regarding new suppliers, SKU productivity, sales performance, and assortment gaps
• Continually and proactively monitor the financial performance of categories and suppliers to measure against the category product strategies and KPI's to ensure we are providing an awesome customer experience
• Proactively identify areas within aligned categories for product expansion and product optimization. Take ownership over identified expansion and optimization activities with support of CM and/or Sr. CM
• Work with suppliers to acquire comprehensive product information including product specifications, product images, pricing information, and additional product content; This effort will require cross-functional partnership as well as direct supplier interaction
• Collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams to execute on the category strategy

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience in a related field is preferred
• Experience in distribution, online marketplaces, wholesale, e-commerce a plus
• Experience analyzing data, building presentations and communicating effectively through data
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Curious and rapid learning ability
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to work in a fast-paced, agile environment
• Ability to communicate in a clear and compelling manner in written, verbal, and interpersonal forms
• Computer skills including building presentations, analyzing data, communicating information, and internet search techniques

Total Rewards

Zoro's total compensation plan includes our Zoro Incentive Plan (ZIP) that is designed to foster and reward our team members for strong performance. Total compensation will be highly competitive.

In addition to competitive compensation, Zoro offers comprehensive benefits and perks including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents. We also support growing your family through access to adoption assistance program
• 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist and Wellhub portal membership to support your mental and emotional wellbeing
• At least 18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees and 6 company holidays per year
• 6% company contribution to a 401K Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
• Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and access to financial counseling, education, and tools
• Charitable Gift Program - match gift to an eligible educational, cultural, community health, and human service organizations
• Employee discounts and admission to various civic and cultural institutions around Chicago
• Zoro office perks including coffee bar, beer on tap, unlimited snacks, access to the onsite gym, and incredible city skyline views

For additional information and details regarding our benefits and our parent company, W. W. Grainger, please click on the link here.

The pay range provided is not a guarantee of compensation. The range listed reflects the expected base pay for this position at the time of posting, based on the role's job grade. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as location, relevant experience and individual qualifications.

Illinois

$65,200-$108,700 USD