Category Manager

DIVE IN TO A NEW CAREER WITH LESLIE'S:

Leslie's Pool Supplies is the "World's Largest Retailer of Swimming Pool Supplies." With over 1,000 retail stores in 39 states plus PRO, Service, E-Commerce, Production, and Distribution divisions, there are many career opportunities at Leslie's. With over 60 years of providing best-in-class products and solutions to our customers, there is nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. We strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Leslie's

Note: This position is based at our corporate office in Phoenix, AZ, and follows a hybrid work schedule. Remote work is not available for this role. Candidates must reside within commuting distance, as relocation assistance is not provided. Additionally, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa support.

This position is not open to agency submissions.

Job Overview: The Category Manager is responsible for driving financial performance, strategic category growth, and operational excellence within a defined product segment across all sales channels—including brick-and-mortar retail, proprietary eCommerce, and third-party marketplaces. This role plays a pivotal part in developing and executing category strategies that optimize assortment, pricing, profitability, inventory productivity, and vendor partnerships. Reporting directly to a Category Director, the Category Manager acts as the day-to-day business owner for select categories and vendor relationships, with accountability for gross margin performance, product lifecycle management, and channel differentiation strategies.

This role requires a deep understanding of consumer behavior, retail economics, and cross-functional collaboration to bring compelling assortments to market and execute efficiently. The Category Manager will serve as a bridge between analytics, operations, and strategic planning - managing both short-term execution and long-term growth levers.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the category’s long-term growth strategy, including channel-specific product, pricing, and promotional plans.
• Analyze and manage category profitability down to dead net profit, incorporating costs such as returns, freight, rebates, and shrink.
• Make data-driven decisions on assortment planning, pricing tiers, and promotional cadence by channel, leveraging deep knowledge of customer behavior and channel dynamics.
• Lead new product launches, from concept and vendor negotiation through commercialization and post-launch performance tracking.
• Serve as the primary contact for a defined set of vendors; negotiate cost, payment terms, funding, and exclusivity arrangements to support strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize inventory turns, minimize days of inventory on hand (DOH), and reduce scrap and return rates.
• Optimize days payable outstanding (DPO) through vendor negotiations and alignment with company working capital goals.
• Develop and present clear, actionable consumer insights based on POS data, margin trends, and competitive benchmarks.
• Own and manage the full product lifecycle—introduction, maintenance, rationalization, and exit planning—to maintain a relevant and productive assortment.
• Drive financial accountability by tracking and reporting sales, margin, and inventory KPIs; recommend actions to improve underperforming areas.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Planning, eCommerce, Store Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure aligned execution and seamless customer experience.
• Solicit and secure vendor funding for in-store promotions, digital advertising, and other growth-driving programs.
• Monitor and respond to competitive activity; recommend adjustments to pricing, assortment, or positioning as needed.
• Champion brand integrity and customer trust through thoughtful product selection and vendor alignment.
• Demonstrate a high level of autonomy in day-to-day category management while aligning major decisions with the Category Director’s broader strategic vision.
• Display strong business acumen with the ability to synthesize financial, operational, and market data into actionable strategies.
• Serve as a mentor or informal leader to junior team members, supporting their development and project execution.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Merchandising, Economics, or a related field, or comparable work experience; MBA or advanced degree a plus.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in merchandising, category management, or retail buying—preferably in a multi-channel retail environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a category P&L, including responsibility for pricing, gross margin, inventory productivity, and vendor funding.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with dead net profit analysis, cost structures, and working capital levers like DPO and DOH.
• Proven success in managing cross-channel strategies, including eCommerce, brick & mortar, and/or marketplaces.
• Experience leading new product introductions and managing full product lifecycles from concept to exit.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills, including the ability to secure extended payment terms and promotional support.
• High proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools; familiarity with Power BI is preferred.
• Ability to analyze large data sets to uncover insights and develop actionable business strategies.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Highly collaborative with a demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams (marketing, supply chain, finance, eCom, and store ops).
• Strategic thinker with an eye for detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear business narratives.

We offer our employees competitive compensation, extensive paid training, comprehensive and flexible suite of benefits package, 401K with company match, team member discounts, rewards for top performers, and most importantly career advancement opportunities.

 Leslie’s recognizes a critical component to our continued success is our people. Leslie's is committed to developing and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion within our company and the communities we serve. A key aspect of building a great team is valuing ideas from many viewpoints, which is why we place a priority on identifying and hiring talented individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives.