Skills & Competencies for Category Manager

Category Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Category Manager

Develops the overall strategy for a product category and researches new product options in the category to drive sales and achieve targets.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Category Manager

Leads a team that provides category insights and proposals by analyzing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market conditions. Works closely with sales team to determine optimal pricing through analysis of sales trends, competitors, buying habits and planograms of products to promote sales opportunities. Provides effective promotional materials. May develop special arrangements with vendors to enhance product promotions.

Category Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$121,939
TOTAL 50%
$133,757
Job Level
M03
Job Code
SM15000441
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Head of a Unit/Department

Category Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Category Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

14 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Category Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Brand Management
Proficiency Level -4
Skill definition-Strategizing and evaluating brands in terms of positioning and target customers to ensure products and services highlight the quality of the brand.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the concepts and benefits of brand management.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in creating brand marketing plans to enhance business value.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Assures brand compliance to align with the business’ values and quality standards.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults with the management to execute brand portfolio.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of advanced brand marketing techniques and methods to ensure growth and sustainability.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Competitive Environment
Proficiency Level -4
Skill definition-Ability to gather, analyze, and communicate information about the competitive business market.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Compiles a list of your competitors based on research.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Collects competitive data to gain insight into competitors' products, and marketing tactics.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyzes market information to stay competitive in a fast-paced environment.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults on the methods and tools used in competitive analysis.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Articulates awareness of market trends to anticipate customer needs.
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3 Category Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Category Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Category Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

11 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Category Manager

1 Core Competencies – Business Acumen
Proficiency Level -4
Skill definition-Insight into our organization's business, goals, and values. Ability to design and implement initiatives that facilitate successful outcomes.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes how our business makes money and our key business objectives.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in designing business models and operating plans.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyses the business impact of demographic changes; suggests effective responses.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults on the selection and adjustment of the go-to-market strategy.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds a mentoring model to ensure a continuous increase of business sense within our business.
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2 Core Competencies – Planning and Organizing
Proficiency Level -5
Skill definition-Managing and prioritizing resources and workloads by creating well-organized plans to attain organizational goals and objectives.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites potential challenges and workplace issues in delegating tasks that may impede well coordinated work.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in identifying and breaking tasks into a sequence of steps for a more organized task plan.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Aligns tasks and priorities with business goals and objectives.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates programs to improve planning and organization of work to achieve business objectives.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds and designs organizational systems and planning tools to enhance overall productivity.
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3 Category Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Category Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Category Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Category Manager skills and competencies

There are 0 hard skills for Category Manager.
14 general skills for Category Manager, Brand Management, Competitive Environment, Digital Marketing, etc.
11 soft skills for Category Manager, Business Acumen, Planning and Organizing, Driving Results, etc.
While the list totals 25 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Category Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Business Acumen, be an expert in Planning and Organizing, and be skilled in Driving Results.

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