Will “Category Manager” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Negotiate contracts with vendors or distributors to manage product distribution, establishing distribution networks or developing distribution strategies.

• Initiate market research studies, or analyze their findings.

• Consult with product development personnel on product specifications, such as design, color, or packaging.

• Develop business cases for environmental marketing strategies.

• Conduct economic or commercial surveys to identify potential markets for products or services.

• Direct the hiring, training, or performance evaluations of marketing or sales staff and oversee their daily activities.

• Evaluate the financial aspects of product development, such as budgets, expenditures, research and development appropriations, or return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.

• Consult with buying personnel to gain advice regarding the types of products or services expected to be in demand.

• Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction.

• Consult with buying personnel to gain advice regarding environmentally sound or sustainable products.

• Advise business or other groups on local, national, or international factors affecting the buying or selling of products or services.

• Recommend modifications to products, packaging, production processes, or other characteristics to improve the environmental soundness or sustainability of products.

• Integrate environmental information into product or company marketing strategies, policies, or activities.

• Select products or accessories to be displayed at trade or special production shows.

• Confer with legal staff to resolve problems, such as copyright infringement or royalty sharing with outside producers or distributors.

• Use sales forecasting or strategic planning to ensure the sale and profitability of products, lines, or services, analyzing business developments and monitoring market trends.

• Formulate, direct, or coordinate marketing activities or policies to promote products or services, working with advertising or promotion managers.

• Compile lists describing product or service offerings.

• Coordinate or participate in promotional activities or trade shows, working with developers, advertisers, or production managers, to market products or services.

• Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors.