Category Manager

DescriptionOur Foundation:Mission: We shape timeless and functional designs from simple, natural materials to elevate everyday life.Vision: To celebrate the beauty of objects with real, authentic character.Values: Dignity & Respect | Ownership & Initiative | Commitment to Quality & Craft | Learning & Growth TogetherPosition SummaryThe Category Manager is a cross-functional role that owns product category performance by integrating demand planning, inventory strategy, and commercial insights to drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity. The role is responsible for aligning forecasting, channel allocation, retail replenishment and key merchandising initiatives to support overall commercial goals.Partnering closely with Merchandising, Sales, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Planning and Warehouse teams, this role translates strategy into actionable plans and manages initiatives from concept through execution. The Category Manager balances analytical rigor with strong project management to drive alignment in a fast-paced, commercial environment.We offer competitive pay and a benefit package that includes: medical, dental, and vision coverage, employer paid life & disability, paid time off, flexible holiday time, 401k retirement plan with employer match, and tuition reimbursement assistance. Additionally, we offer exclusive employee discounts on both our glass and pottery products and at our restaurant. This role is remote with preference for candidates in New England area and will require travel onsite to Windsor and store locations as needed at least once a month.Primary Duties And ResponsibilitiesCategory ManagementShape seasonal assortment strategies, including SKU productivity, lifecycle management, and line architecture for owned categoriesOwn category-level performance including sales, inventory productivity, and sell-through; proactively identify risks and opportunities and drive action plansDevelop and maintain category-level financial plans (revenue, margin, inventory) aligned to company targetsAnalyze category performance across channels and recommend actions to optimize mix, depth, and timingDrive decisions on new product introductions, discontinuations, and lifecycle transitions based on performance insightsAct as the central point of view on category health, synthesizing inputs from Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, and PlanningDemand Planning & Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Develop, manage, and continuously improve demand forecasts at the SKU, category, and channel levels to support financial and category plansAnalyze demand drivers including promotions, product launches, lifecycle changes, and go-to-market [GTM] plans; identify risks and opportunitiesAggregate and reconcile forecasts to support inventory, production, financial planning, and purchasing decisions for manufactured and purchased goodsTranslate forecasts into actionable inputs for inventory planning, production planning, and purchasingSupport S&OP processes by preparing demand plans, assumptions, and scenario analysesMonitor forecast accuracy and recommend corrective actionsMaintain and enhance forecasting tools, models, reporting, and processesPrepare clear reporting and insights for leadership and cross-functional stakeholdersContinuously evaluate planning assumptions and recommend process improvement.Channel Allocation, Replenishment & Inventory AllocationOversee allocation of inventory by channel and retail location in alignment with demand plans and approved strategiesDetermine and manage retail replenishment parameters (safety stock) by SKU by store based on historical analysis, seasonal builds, and visual strategyCollaborate with Merchandising, Product Development, Retail, and Visual Merchandising to ensure allocations align with GTM plans and seasonal assortment strategiesMonitor sales trends and weeks of supply to proactively adjust retail replenishment levelsDrive analysis and recommendations for markdowns, liquidation strategies, and sell-through optimizationMerchandising Strategic InitiativesLead project management of key merchandising initiatives Build and manage project plans, timelines, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategiesEnsure alignment across Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Retail, and OperationCommunicate progress and drive accountability to ensure initiatives are executed accurately, on time, and with minimal disruptionQualificationsQualifications Required:Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Economics, or related field2-5 years of experience in category managementExperience owning or influencing category-level strategy and financial performance (sales, margin, inventory)Strong business acumen with understanding of pricing, assortment strategy, and product lifecycle managementStrong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret large data setsDemonstrated ability to translate data into commercial recommendations and business decisions3+ years project management experience working with cross-functional teamsAdvanced proficiency in ExcelStrong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholdersQualifications DesiredLuxury retail experience preferredExperience with ERP and demand planning tools preferredPhysical Demands And Work EnvironmentThe physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.Simon Pearce is committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity and to provide all employees with the work environment necessary to enable them to advance on merit as far as their talents and skills will take them, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected class of veteran, or any other legally protected status.