Will “Category Manager” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 13-1022.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 60,040.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 28.00
• Currently, there are 109,440 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products”.

Also Known As…

• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
• Trader
• Retail Buyer
• Purchasing Coordinator
• Purchaser
• Product Manager
• Procurement Specialist
• Merchandise Manager
• Grocery Buyer
• Buyer
• Wholesale Buyer
• Wholesale and Retail Merchant
• Tradesman
• Tie Buyer
• Technical Buyer
• Sustainability Purchasing Agent
• Resident Buyer
• Purveyor
• Purchasing Specialist
• Procurement Manager
• Procurement Buyer
• Print Buyer
• Merchant
• Merchandise Planner
• Merchandise for Resale Purchasing Agent
• Merchandise Buyer
• Jobber
• Internal Wholesaler
• Importer Exporter
• Importer
• Head of Merchandise Buying
• Gold Buyer
• Fur Buyer
• Fashion Buyer
• Contracts Specialist
• Commodity Manager
• Commodity Buyer
• Category Manager
• Category Development Manager
• Buyer Assistant
• Art Dealer

Tasks for “Category Manager”

• Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
• Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.
• Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options.
• Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
• Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.
• Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.
• Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
• Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.
• Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
• Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
• Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
• Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
• Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
• Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
• Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.
• Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• Recommend mark-up rates, markdown rates, or merchandise selling prices.
• Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.
• Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.

Related Technology & Tools

• Point of sale POS systems
• 10-key calculators
• Personal computers
• Desktop computers

• Sage ERP Accpac
• Inventory control systems
• Claritas ConsumerPoint
• Project management software
• Graphics software
• Enterprise risk management software ERMS
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Sourcing Simulator
• Kliger-Weiss Infosystems
• JDA Software Group Assortment Planning by Arthur
• Windward Software Windward System Five
• Contact management software
• Product development management software
• Web browser software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Supply Planning Multi-Site Material Planner
• Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software
• Microsoft Access
• Specialized Business Solutions Keystroke POS
• Biztrak Business Solutions Biztrak
• Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
• Microsoft Office
• Point of sale POS software
• Accounting software
• Eclipse IDE
• Microsoft Project
• Infor Supply Chain Management
• Oracle Advanced Procurement
• Scheduling software
• SAP POS Data Management
• JDA Software Group Advanced Warehouse Replenishment by E3
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Materials requirement planning MRP software
• POSitive Software POSitive for Windows
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Millennium Software Atrex
• Advanced Retail Management Systems Retail Pro
• Plexis Software Plexis POS
• Microsoft Outlook
• Presentation software
• Microsoft Word
• CAM Commerce Solutions Retail STAR Point of Sale POS
• Microsoft Excel
• Email software