POSITION:� Director, Category Management�
DEPARTMENT: Category Management
REPORTS TO: VP, Category Management�
LOCATION: National Operating Center, Clearwater, FL
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SUMMARYThe Director, Category Management is a strategic leadership role guiding the vision and execution of a portfolio of brands and/ or category of business within the professional beauty market. This role manages the end-to-end lifecycle, encompassing strategic go to market planning and the cultivation of strong market positioning for their business.�
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with executive presence who is able to navigate complex coordination within a matrixed environment. � This role requires seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams—including Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance—to execute a comprehensive merchandising strategy across stores, commercial sales, and E-Commerce. �
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Merchandising & Brand Development
- Strong Brand Partnerships are a priority!
- Category Leadership: Champion a multi-year strategic vision for assigned category of business and/ or portfolio of brands.�
- Assess portfolio white space and develop line architecture to support the evolving needs of the professional.
- Launch & Market Strategy:� Drive high-impact brand launches. Lead in-depth analysis of global trends and translate insights into actionable sales strategies.
- Financial Performance: Achieve ambitious sales, profit, and inventory turnover goals through meticulous forecasting and data-driven promotional planning.
- Lifecycle Management:� Formulate strategic exit strategies for underperforming items to optimize portfolio health and resource allocation.
Leadership & People Management
- Plan and Lead milestone meetings for the department.
- Lead and develop a team of merchants aligned to shared goals and metrics.
- Influence and inspire cross-functional teams to execute against strategic vision to deliver sales goals.
- Operational Leadership:� Model a culture of accountability and excellence, establishing clear priorities to meet channel goals related to sales, inventory, and productivity.
Operational Excellence
- Policy & Financial Oversight:� Ensure strict adherence to company standards regarding inventory control and loss prevention. Conduct deep-dive financial reviews to strategically react to business trends.
- Continuous Improvement:� Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technology and process innovations to enhance departmental efficiency.
- Strategic Engagement:� Conduct regular field visits and store audits to ensure consistent brand representation and gather market insights.
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JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field required; MBA highly preferred.
Experience
- 8-10+ years� of progressive leadership in retail management, merchandising, or brand development.
- Financial Acumen:� Proven success in large-scale P&L management, budget oversight, and driving top-line sales growth.
- People Leadership:� Demonstrated ability to lead large teams through organizational change and influence executive-level stakeholders.
- Negotiation:� Extensive experience leading high-stakes contract negotiations with major partners.
- Industry Knowledge:� Experience in beauty, cosmetics, or professional salon industries is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
- Executive Presence:� Ability to inspire confidence and influence senior leaders across a matrixed organization.
- Strategic Thinking:� Superior ability to analyze complex data and formulate bold decisions that drive market leadership.
- Communication:� Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex narratives to large audiences and executive boards.
- Problem Solving:� Advanced capability to address ambiguous challenges with data-driven, innovative solutions.
- Technological Proficiency:� Advanced skills in ERP systems, CRM, and analytics tools (Microsoft Office Suite).
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What's In It For You:
- Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K)
- Hybrid Work Policy (3 Days in Office, 2 Days Work from Home)
- Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
- Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
- Learning & Development Opportunities for Career Progression (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
- Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
- Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs
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