Massachusetts Creative Jobs

Category Manager

Location:

Wilmington, Massachusetts

Job ID

2402878

The Category Manager will oversee import categories, focusing on textiles. Responsibilities include supplier management, market research, sourcing optimization, and financial analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams for seamless integration. Strong communication and strategic thinking skills required.

This role is hybrid out of our corporate office in Wilmington, MA.

Responsibilities:

• Categorize and maintain a comprehensive roster of sources capable of fulfilling core import categories in line with the overall sourcing strategy.

• Serve as the primary product expert and business liaison for all direct spend textile import categories.

• Monitor and evaluate performance of suppliers to ensure adherence to contractual agreements, quality standards, delivery timelines and cost targets, leading Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR’s) with core import suppliers, fostering strong relationships and driving performance improvements.

• Conduct market research and trend analysis to stay informed about emerging market trends, competitor activities and industry developments.

• Assist in identifying and presenting re-sourcing opportunities to optimize sourcing strategies and enhance efficiency.

• Present sourcing plans for new National Account installations, providing regular updates and alternatives as needed throughout the installation process.

• Aid Product Development (PD) to identify the best sources and own price negotiations for new items, conversions and programs.

• Lead the Supply Chain Mapping Initiative for import programs.

• Monitor and analyze the monthly Profit & Loss (P&L) and Purchase Register statements for direct spend import categories, ensuring alignment with buying plans, certifying every month, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

• Initiate and analyze annual Requests for Quotation (RFQ’s) for core programs, facilitating competitive pricing and supplier selection.

• Lead annual price negotiations and prepare annual budget for import categories.

• Align weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting with the Domestic Category Manager to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting.

• Collaborate with other departments such as Logistics, Legal, and Compliance to ensure seamless integration of international sourcing activities with overall business operations and compliance with relevant regulations.

• Regularly communicates with internal stakeholders, such as senior management, department heads, and cross-functional teams, to provide updates on sourcing activities, performance metrics, and strategic initiatives

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in related field.

• Typically requires 4 to 7 years of experience in categories.

• Ability to effectively negotiate pricing and terms.

• Proficiency in identifying and selecting the best sources focusing on international markets.

• Textile product experience a must, uniform and textile-based facility service product experience a plus.

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with suppliers.

Benefits & Perks:

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws

UniFirst is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to TalentAcquisition@unifirst.com or call to let us know the nature of your request.

UniFirst Recruiters and/or representatives will not ask job seekers to provide personal financial information when submitting a job application. Please be vigilant as such requests for information may be fraudulent.

UniFirst is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.

If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to TalentAcquisition@unifirst.com or

call 800-347-7888 to let us know the nature of your request.