Category Manager

We’re seeking highly analytical, passionate, and self-motivated individuals to join our North American Retail Buying and Category Management team. North American Retail is the organization within Wayfair that drives the overall strategy for the multitude of product categories that are offered across our channels of business. The team serves as the external and internal ambassadors of the product categories we manage, mobilizing and coaching suppliers on how to grow their business on our sites, and leveraging internal partners to execute the strategic vision to win in the online home space.

Who We Are

The Category Management team offers a unique opportunity to drive strategy for Wayfair’s largest product categories through tight internal and external partnership. We serve as ambassadors of the product categories we manage. We are at the forefront as Wayfair redefines the supplier experience as a platform, giving suppliers more data, more transparency, and more control while retaining the high-touch elements that make working with Wayfair exceptional. Internally, we leverage a diverse set of cross-functional partners to execute our strategic vision. As a Manager on the CM team, you will be expected to define overarching goals and strategy within your category, problem-solve, articulate and execute against tactical plans, and manage key business metrics. Members of the team must be able to expertly negotiate internally and externally, while also being effective project managers.

How is this opportunity unique?

The Category Management team interacts with our suppliers every day. We like candidates with consultative mindsets who want to work with external partners. Collaborative partnerships are a hallmark of a relationship with Wayfair.

Wayfair is a data-driven environment. Candidates with experience using data to drive decision-making are great matches.

We move fast and take risks. If you have experience at a start-up or in another fast-paced, risk-taking environment, you’d enjoy working at Wayfair. Be prepared to constantly evolve.

Strong communication is key. Category Managers have a 360° view into their suppliers and their category. You’ll need to be able to gain buy-in from senior leaders and cross-functional teams to accomplish your goals.

We like to have fun. Our team takes time each month to celebrate our wins and toast our accomplishments.  We foster an environment that values balance, and we encourage personal development by offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for continuous development and mentorship.

What You'll Do

• Have ownership over a category plan to achieve revenue and profitability goals
  

• Build strong relationships with existing suppliers and execute negotiations to secure best pricing and promotional support
  

• Analyze data to strategize profit growth opportunities for the category and for specific supplier partners
  

• Advance catalog expansion by identifying selection gaps, prioritizing new item production, and developing relationships with target suppliers
  

• Identify sales, merchandising, and operational opportunities for the category and collaborate with internal teams to drive change (Planning, Advertising, Merchandising, Operations, PR, Finance, Customer Service, Business Intelligence)
  

• Analyze and anticipate competitor marketing, selection, and pricing strategy
  

• Attend tradeshows to visit key suppliers (4-8 times per year)

What You'll Need

• 5+ years of ecommerce, corporate retail, or management consulting experience, preferred
  

• Articulate and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal
  

• A track record of successful negotiation and relationship management skills
  

• An ability to hit the ground running – a confident, entrepreneurial self-starter
  

• Demonstrated senior presence, recognized as an effective manager
  

• An ability to manage and prioritize projects and to delegate tasks appropriately
  

• Innovative problem-solving skills – dissect and determine root causes of problems and implement solutions
  

• Proven experience of taking on big challenges and delivering despite obstacles and limited resources

• Experience managing others, preferred