Category Manager Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Category Manager includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Research and analyze data and market insights
  • Search for insights into consumer needs and wants
  • Plan and implement long-term development strategies for product categories
  • Design exit strategies for unsuccessful products
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with vendors 
  • Place appropriate orders
  • Ensure product availability
  • Strategize positioning of a product category in order to maximize its visibility
  • Collaborate with the marketing team
  • Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing and promotional activities 
  • Work with customers and merchandisers and find new ways of expanding product categories 
  • Calculate forecasts for product demand trends
  • Manage and track budget

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Category Manager duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Category Manager roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.