Category Manager

CATEGORY MANAGER

AT A GLANCE: 
Broad River Retail is currently seeking a Category Manager to join our Merchandising team. This role provides strategic ownership and leadership for high-growth categories throughout our Furniture and Accessory assortments.  Category Manager will drive category vision, long-term merchandising strategies, financial performance, and vendor partnerships while influencing cross-functional teams across the organization. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE AS THIS MEMORY MAKER:

Strategic Leadership
•    Own and execute short and long-term category strategies aligned with brand experience and enterprise growth objectives.
•    Lead the development of 3–5 year category roadmaps focused on revenue growth, margin expansion, and market differentiation.
•    Serve as the subject matter expert and internal thought leader for assigned categories.
•    Identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and consumer behavior insights to influence category innovation and expansion.

Financial Ownership
•    Ownership and accountability for assigned categories including revenue, competitive pricing strategies that support commissioned sales strategies, inventory productivity, and return on investment.
•    Develop and execute plans to achieve or exceed sales and inventory productivity targets across all retail locations.
•    Manage category performance through key retail metrics including:
o    Sales per guest
o    Sales per square foot
o    Inventory productivity
o    Gross margin and IMU performance
•    Deliver executive-level reporting and insights to senior leadership.

Merchandising & Assortment Strategy
•    Lead enterprise assortment planning strategy across all retail channels and locations.
•    Build and maintain a strategic Core Assortment that balances innovation, margin optimization, and inventory efficiency.
•    Manage safety stock for all assigned categories and locations
•    Direct product lifecycle management including new product introductions, assortment refreshes, and exit strategies.
•    Establish pricing frameworks that maximize profitability while maintaining competitive positioning.

Vendor & Supplier Strategy
•    Develop and manage strategic vendor partnerships, including negotiation of pricing, terms, and product exclusivity.
•    Collaborate with vendors on product innovation, market differentiation, and cost optimization initiatives.
•    Evaluate vendor performance and ensure alignment with quality, cost, and service expectations.
Inventory & Supply Chain Collaboration
•    Partner closely with Supply Chain leadership to develop inventory strategies that optimize working capital and minimize aging inventory.
•    Oversee inbound flow planning, safety stock strategy, and replenishment frameworks.
•    Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve inventory health and supply chain efficiency.

Data & Insights Leadership
•    Establish a data-driven decision culture by leveraging sales analytics, customer insights, and market research.
•    Lead advanced category performance analysis to identify growth opportunities and operational improvements.
•    Present strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership.

Cross-Functional Leadership
•    Lead cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Finance, and Visual Merchandising.
•    Influence strategic initiatives across departments to ensure alignment with category strategies.
•    Support company-wide initiatives including promotional planning, store experience strategy, and new store launches.

Team Leadership & Development
•    Mentor and develop merchandising team members and analysts.
•    Lead and manage cross-functional project teams.
•    Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

Education & Experience
•    Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, Supply Chain, or related field required
•    Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, category management, or buying
•    Furniture, bedding, or durable goods retail experience strongly preferred

Strategic & Analytical Skills
•    Demonstrated success managing large-scale retail categories with significant revenue responsibility
•    Strong expertise in category strategy, assortment optimization, and pricing strategy
•    Advanced ability to analyze large data sets and translate insights into actionable strategies

Leadership & Influence
•    Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams
•    Excellent executive-level communication and presentation skills
•    Experience presenting strategic recommendations to senior leadership or executive teams

Operational Excellence
•    Strong project management capabilities with the ability to lead complex initiatives from strategy through execution
•    Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth retail environment
•    Demonstrated ability to manage multiple strategic priorities simultaneously

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT:
•    Ability to work independently while leading cross-functional collaboration.
•    After initial onboarding, this role operates primarily in a remote or hybrid environment.
•    Must maintain a professional home office workspace capable of supporting virtual meetings, leadership presentations, and collaborative work sessions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to empower individuals with disabilities to undertake the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

MEMORY MAKER PERKS AND BENEFITS:
•    Competitive salary based on experience and expertise
•    Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
•    Paid time off and 401K matching contributions
•    40% employee discount at Ashley
•    Leadership development and internal career advancement opportunities

CULTURE SNAPSHOT:

Broad River Retail is an organization of integrity, diversity and culture working together for the purpose of ‘Furnishing Life’s Best Memories’. At Broad River, we call all our employees “Memory Makers.”  We do this because we know everyone that works for our Company has the power to make positive memories not only for our Guests, but also for their families, co-workers, and communities. 

We take pride in training and developing our teams so that they can provide a premier customer experience to every guest. Our Memory Makers are the driving force that has led us to being the largest and fastest growing Ashley Furniture licensee in the U.S. and landing us on the Top Places to Work list two years in a row in our industry. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU:

Broad River Retail is committed to creating a place where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to reach their full potential. Regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or if you’re parenting the next generation of Memory Makers, we firmly believe our work is at its best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Merchandising preferred
• Must have at least five years experience in retail merchandising. Furniture/bedding experience is a plus
• Proficient in gathering and analyzing data
• Possesses strong analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and the ability to communicate and influence at all levels within the organization
• Self-directed with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with accountability to multiple departments and internal customers
• Solid project management capabilities with the ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously from origin through execution
• Collaborative approach to problem-solving a must
• Ability to perform additional functions that may be assigned at the discretion of management

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to work independently, as well as, in a collaborative team environment
• This role is primarily a work from home position after onsite training is complete.
• Employees must arrange an appropriate workspace that ensures their productivity. Must be able to participate in virtual meetings, on-camera, and calls with minimal distraction

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to empower individuals with disabilities to undertake the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.