Associate Category Manager

Join DAS Companies, Inc.

At DAS Companies, Inc., we blend a strong family heritage with an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to making a difference. We're more than a distributor—we're a strategic partner. Specializing in products that support the on-the-go lifestyle, we serve professional drivers, mobile workers, and travelers across North America.

From product development to retail merchandising, DAS delivers the right products, in the right places, at the right time. If you're looking for a career where your work matters and your values align with a greater purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Summary:

This role is an in-office position and the major responsibility of this role will be to support all aspects of Category Management for Travel Centers, from distribution to retail execution, while assisting in other areas as needed. Primary assignments include supporting the strategic vision for assigned category(s), driving revenue and profit, introducing new products, managing assortment and pricing, and overseeing the product lifecycle. This role will manage a limited number of categories, be mentored by other Category Managers, and assist other Category Managers as specified.

Requirements:

Key Responsibilities:

• Support full category P&L responsibility for a limited number of retail product lines.
• Plan and manage inventory to support Travel Center locations.
• Program management to improve vendor terms, discounts, promotional participation, and overall category profitability.
• Promotional planning and post-promotion analysis to drive sales and margin improvement.
• New product development, evaluation, and selection of appropriate retail product mix.
• Close cooperation and training with Sales and Operations teams to develop profitable, efficient Travel Center programs.
• Effectively manage the product life cycle from inception through end of life.
• Coordinate packaging, labeling, and merchandising requirements between vendors and Marketing.
• Assist and be mentored by more experienced Category Managers.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field and/or prior experience in Retail Category Management, Merchandising, or Product Management.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interact with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and key Customer and Vendor partners.
• Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Proven track record supporting P&L management performance.
• Proficient in Excel & PowerPoint.

Physical Demands/Environment:

• Regularly required to sit or walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear; lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; use peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus; work in wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions
• Frequently required to stand, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk, smell; lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or greater; use color and distance vision; may be exposed to cleaning chemicals
• Occasionally required to work at heights
• Noise level is usually moderate

Comprehensive benefits package including (but not limited to):

• Competitive medical benefits (including PPO options, as well as a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (QHDHP) option with Health Savings