PetWise Inc. is an industry leader of smart, stylish, innovative and environmentally responsible pet products. We were founded in 1990 and our pet products are available across multiple retail and online channels throughout the world. We offer a collegial culture, opportunities for career growth and competitive compensation and benefits. Come join our team and help us design the future of the company.

Job Summary:

The Category Manager will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of the product lifecycle from market & consumer research, development & financial framework, sales partnership & presentation culminating in the delivery of product to store shelves.

This role requires a strong leader that is adept at working cross functionally with key teams across multiple locations.  A critical responsibility is to form a keen understanding of PetWise’s core manufacturing capabilities and partner with sales leadership to identify and capitalize on short- and long-term business opportunities.  

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead Merchandising Strategy & Execution
• Retail/Account experts: Responsible for merchandising/assortments by retailer/account, track and report IRI/retailer POS data: (performance tracking for share of shelf, competitive assortments, price management, velocity, etc.)
• Category captains: Own private label strategy, be the go-to expert in category trends & planning, retail and pet industry trade news
• Merchandising experts: Own retailer assortments & planograms (POGs), end caps, promos (work closely with product and sales teams)
• Partner with sales on opportunity development. Act as strategic go-to for sales on adhoc retailer requests, finding solutions that are the most efficient and effective while fitting in the brand guidelines, retail segmentation, price constraints, excess inventory, etc.

• Act as strategic partner and liaison for sales team, responsible for annual category planning, including private label, merchandising/assortments by retailer, and support ad hoc opportunities
• Category experts: Garner a deep understanding on sell through performance, identify insights and trends from NIQ, retailer POS data, competitive analysis, price points, promos, etc.  along with identifying white space opportunities
• Be the go-to expert in category trends, retail and pet industry trade news
• Own retailer assortments & planograms (POGs) , end caps, promos (work closely with product and sales teams)
• Lead private label strategy, rationale & assortments (pass to product manager for GTM once PL product is a go)
• Be product liaison to finance and operations for pricing
• Be the conduit between Sales, Product and Marketing teams ensuring company goals are met
• Collaborate and align on KPIs across retail pricing, promos, placement, track and report on these metrics
• Identify new items with TopCo through trends, customer feedback, partnering with sourcing teams – while also managing out underperforming items

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience
• 5+ years Buying/Merchandising/Product development experience – ideally in Pet, CPG, or General Merchandise industry
• Proficient at presenting/selling directly to key customers
• Excellent organizational skills: office space both physically and electronically
• Savvy communication skills with intuitive approach to varied personalities
• Interest and skill set in analytics; both financial and research related
• Commitment to high professional ethical standards
• Microsoft office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams
• Consumer product design & detailed spec creation expertise
• Retail math competency: margins, pricing structures, trade
• Ability to travel as required domestic; ~20% estimated.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk, twist and turn.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to use a computer keyboard and calculator.
• Work environment is indoors, majority of the time is spent sitting at a desk.

ABOUT US:

PetWise is an innovation-driven organization poised for growth that embraces the vision to delight its customers while outperforming its competitors. The Company is also committed to sustainability, has innovation in its DNA and is an industry leader in the development and branding of smart, stylish and innovative pet products. The Company’s has a highly diversified brand portfolio which includes: SmartyKat, goDog, Sherpa, TrustyPup, Pet Factory, FurHaven, Petlinks, Pawscout, Kitty Sift and PoochPlanet, and is a category leader in pet toys, cat products, beds and travel accessories. PetWise embraces diverse and passionate people who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace continuous improvement and who uphold PetWise’s values and, of course, LOVE pets. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Novato, CA, with additional offices in Ferndale, WA, McAllen, Tx, Mundelein, IL; the Company has its product development, manufacturing and 3PL capabilities across the continental U.S. and Canada. They also procure some of its products overseas in China, Hong Kong and Mexico. PetWise offers a fun, flexible, and pet-friendly working environment where employees are empowered to help design the future of the Company. For more information on PetWise, visit https://www.petwisebrands.com/.

SALARY RANGE:

The base range for this position is 80K – 120K. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the applicant’s qualifications for the position; years of relevant experience; specific and unique skills; level of education attained; certifications or other professional licenses held; other legitimate, non-discriminatory business factors specific to the position; and the geographic location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will perform the job.