The Director of Category Management is responsible for leading the end-to-end strategy, performance, and profitability of the product category within a plumbing wholesale distribution environment. This role is instrumental in driving growth, improving margins, optimizing inventory, and strengthening supplier relationships. The ideal candidate brings deep technical and commercial expertise in pipe and fitting products, including PVC, PEX, copper, cast iron, and steel systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing applications.
Key ResponsibilitiesCategory Strategy & Execution- Develop and own the category strategy for pipes and fittings, aligned with market trends, customer demand, and company objectives.
- Maintain a competitive, profitable, and regionally relevant assortment of pipes, fittings, valves, and accessories.
- Conduct SKU rationalization and lifecycle planning to ensure optimized inventory.
- Own pricing architecture across all pipe and fitting categories, balancing margin goals with market competitiveness.
- Negotiate terms, rebates, marketing support, and supply agreements with manufacturers and key vendors (e.g., Charlotte Pipe, NIBCO, Uponor, etc.).
- Partner with finance and branch leadership to manage profitability at the category and SKU level.
- Work with the supply chain to maintain optimal inventory levels and reduce stockouts or overstock risks.
- Partner with Sales and Operations to recommend new product introductions and end-of-life phase-outs.
- Evaluate and onboard new suppliers to fill portfolio gaps or drive innovation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Act as the subject matter expert for pipes and fittings across sales, marketing, operations, and training teams.
- Support sales enablement by providing product knowledge resources, pricing strategies, and promotional guidance.
- Collaborate with the digital/e-commerce team to ensure accurate product content and merchandising online.
Leadership & Team Development- Embrace the company purpose and live the values.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)- Year-over-year category sales growth
- Gross margin performance by product line
- Inventory turnover and availability
- Rebate capture and vendor performance metrics
- SKU rationalization progress
- Supplier on-time delivery and service levels
Key Competencies and Skills Required- Strong analytical and negotiation skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Proven ability to manage complex vendor portfolios and category P&Ls.
- Effective communicator with strong influencing skills across departments and senior leadership.
- Proficient in ERP and analytics platforms (e.g., Eclipse, Power BI, ).
Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in category management or procurement in the plumbing or building materials sector.
- Deep product knowledge of pipes and fittings (materials, standards, applications).
- Experience working with contractors, distributors, or manufacturer reps.
Preferred Qualifications- MBA in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or related Field
Our commitment to excellent customer service is just part of our story. We're also dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our associates! One of the ways we do this is by offering a variety of high-quality benefits for our associates and their families.
All full-time associates are eligible for the following benefits:- Medical and Dental Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
- Company-paid Life Insurance
- Short Term Disability
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO) - plus paid holidays
- Parental Leave
Voluntary benefits:- Vision
- Long-term Disability
- Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits through Corestream
