**Description** We are seeking a strategic and results-driven **Category Manager** to oversee and manage product categories within our organization. The Category Manager will analyze market trends, develop strategies, grow supplier relations and collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to enhance category performance, maximize profitability, and meet overall customer needs. This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent negotiation abilities, a deep understanding of market dynamics, pricing strategy, and a demanding need for response time. This person will work with domestic and international manufacturers to maximize product profitability throughout its lifecycle. The objective of the Product Category Manager is to plan and specify a product portfolio in line with the long-term strategic objectives, within the scope and capabilities of the company’s long-term strategic business plan. **_Responsibilities:_** + Monitor market trends, competitive products, and overall product pricing within the assigned category. + Develop product pricing strategy and negotiate best cost vendor programs to improve overall margin. + Negotiate long term strategic supply and incentive agreements that improve working capital KPIs and grow profitability of the category. + Work closely with Suppliers to ensure adherence and payment of incentive agreements. + Provide sales support and product training material to field sales and inside sales staff. + Rationalize and consolidate product lines to improve inventory turns and create volume cost improvement opportunities. + Support sales staff with special product training, quality and price deviations. + Work to improve go-to-market strategy and speed of new product implementation to ensure best possible. **_Requirements:_** + Bachelor's degree required + 5+ years’ experience in Category Management or relevant business experience is required; preferably in a distribution environment + Proven experience negotiating with vendors regarding pricing discussions and long term supply agreements + Experience executing regularly scheduled RFPs with domestic and international manufacturers. + Must possess exceptional responsiveness, consistently addressing tasks, inquiries, and challenges in a timely and effective manner to ensure seamless communication and resolution. + Possess strong planning, organizational and time management skills as well as strong analytical problem solving skills + Multi-task with the ability to change direction quickly and often + Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) + Enterprise purchasing system experience is highly preferred **So, what are you waiting for? A new career awaits you with endless opportunities.** Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non-Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions to sales in excess of $10 billion. Bunzl North America is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Bunzl North America owns and operates more than 100 warehouses and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 5,000 employees and 400,000 plus supplies, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America. _Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401k with a company_ _match._ _Bunzl Distribution has a tradition of commitment to equal employment opportunity. It is the established policy to attract and retain the best qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status as provided by law._ Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)