To work as a category manager, you’ll need a diverse set of skills and, in many cases, a college diploma. This position combines some of the responsibilities of jobs in marketing, advertising, and business. If and when potential category managers decide to pursue college degrees, they will have a variety of options. It can also give examples of the types of work experience that could be obtained in order to improve one’s chances of becoming a category manager, as work experience is frequently required. This field also offers certification and continuing education opportunities.
A category manager is in charge of items in a specific category, referred to as a business unit. The goal is to maximize the profitability of the business unit, and part of the job usually entails developing a marketing strategy for the unit. Creating a marketing strategy frequently includes interpreting market data. Category managers also work with suppliers and set sales goals.
Written and verbal communication skills are essential for becoming a category manager because this job frequently requires working with a variety of people, including consumers, manufacturers, and suppliers. Negotiation skills are also important in this regard, especially when working with suppliers. Another quality that a category manager should possess is flexibility. In addition, this position requires math and research skills, as well as subject knowledge.
Although a college degree is not required for this position, it may give someone interested in becoming a category manager an advantage in the job market because many employers prefer their employees to have a college education. The most common degree earned by people in this field is a business degree, but a degree in marketing or advertising would also be useful because skills from these fields are frequently used in this job. In fact, category managers and marketing managers are often used interchangeably. Employers value work experience in any of these areas, so it will give someone aspiring to be a category manager an advantage.
The Category Management Association is a group of professionals who work in the category management field. Certification as a Certified Professional Category Manager (CPCM) can help someone who wants to work as a category manager get a leg up on the competition. People working in this field may also benefit from continuing education programs. Workshops, conferences, and seminars are all part of these programs.