Job Description

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.

The Category Manager will be responsible for the performance of PetWise products in market. This role will own omnichannel merchandising strategy and assortments by retailer (digital and brick & mortar) and will partner closely with sales/account managers to analyze and optimize sell-in and sell-through of their brands. This role requires a strong leader with analytical skills to assess performance KPIs along with the ability to build selling stories and strategies that support the sales team and support the overall PetWise business objectives. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Category Expert: Garner a deep understanding of sell-through performance, identify insights and trends from NIQ, retailer POS data, competitive analysis, price points, promos, etc. along with identifying white space opportunities
• Retail/Account experts: Responsible for omnichannel merchandising/assortments by retailer/account (planograms), track and report NIQ/retailer POS data, such as share of shelf, competitive assortments, price management, velocity, etc.
• Strategic partner and liaison for sales team for opportunistic inline and ad hoc retailer requests. Finding solutions that are the most efficient and effective while adhering to brand guidelines, retail segmentation, price constraints, excess inventory, etc.
• Pricing and Promotion Strategy: Develop and implement pricing strategies that balance profitability with competitive positioning. Work with marketing and sales teams to plan and execute promotional activities that drive category growth and consumer engagement. Monitor and adjust strategies based on performance analysis and market conditions.
• Cross Functional Collaboration - Partner with sales, product management, marketing, to ensure successful product launches, and support business goals. Work closely with the sales team to develop category-specific selling stories and ensure alignment with customer needs. Collaborate with key retailers to optimize in-store presence and category performance.
• Performance Analysis & Reporting - Track category performance metrics (sales, profitability, market share) and provide regular reports to stakeholders. Identify risks, opportunities and recommended corrective actions to meet category objectives. Develop tools and processes that help Category Management team report out business results.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience.
• 5+ years Buying/Merchandising experience – ideally in the home décor, toy and/or pet industry
• Proficient at presenting/selling directly to key customers
• Expert at data mining along with storytelling to drive category direction.
• 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, Access, Teams
• Retail math competency: margins, pricing structures, packaging & design fees impacts
• 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

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.

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