Job Description

Wayfair Category Management Senior Manager

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Boston, MA. The role requires four days on-site per week (Monday–Thursday), with remote work on Fridays.

We're seeking highly analytical, passionate, and self-motivated individuals to join our North American Retail and Category Management team. North American Retail is the organization within Wayfair that drives the overall strategy for the multitude of product categories that are offered across our channels of business. The team serves as the external and internal ambassadors of the product categories we manage, mobilizing and coaching suppliers on how to grow their business on our sites, and leveraging internal partners to execute the strategic vision to win in the online home space.

The Category Management team offers a unique opportunity to drive strategy for Wayfair's largest product categories through tight internal and external partnership. We serve as ambassadors of the product categories we manage. We are at the forefront as Wayfair redefines the supplier experience as a platform, giving suppliers more data, more transparency, and more control while retaining the high-touch elements that make working with Wayfair exceptional. Internally, we leverage a diverse set of cross-functional partners to execute our strategic vision. As a Senior Manager on the CM team, you will be expected to define overarching goals and strategy within your category, problem-solve, articulate and execute against tactical plans, and manage key business metrics. Members of the team must be able to expertly negotiate internally and externally, while also being effective project managers.

How is this opportunity unique?

• Category Managers interact with our suppliers every day. We like candidates with consultative mindsets who want to work with external partners. Our suppliers are important to our business and we want to grow with them collaboratively.
• Wayfair is a data-driven environment. Candidates with experience using data to drive decision-making are great matches.
• We move fast and take risks. If you have experience at a start-up or in another fast-paced, risk-taking environment, you'd enjoy working at Wayfair. Be prepared to constantly evolve.
• Confidence is key. Category Managers have a 360° view into their suppliers and their category. You'll need to be able to gain buy-in from senior leaders and cross-functional teams to accomplish your goals.
• Our business is in high-growth stage and so is our team. Are you an effective people manager? Senior Managers are expected to manage others either right away. You'll have the opportunity to strengthen direct management skills in a Category Manager role.

What You'll Do

General Manager:

Responsible for:

1. Owning three Business Units - Kitchen, Tabletop, and Small Electrics ($40B TAM), setting strategic and team direction for KPI selection, target setting process, and cross-functional roadmaps
2. Creating and adapting long-term, 12+ month roadmaps that drive category plans
3. Full P&L ownership and accountability over end-to-end business results
4. Leadership role in supplier selections and execution of our demand consolidation programs to accelerate store growth

Category Management:

Responsible for:

1. Identifying and pursuing white-space opportunities to improve the customer experience (e.g., making the website better, thinking about customer needs, driving assortment)
2. Deciding where and how to allocate team's time according to highest ROI opportunities and company-wide initiatives
3. Identifying and defining critical gaps in our offering, operational processes, and tech & tools for company wide benefit

Team Management:

Responsible for: Building out and managing a team of 9 (Kitchen - 2, Tabletop - 4, Small Electrics - 3) by on-boarding, training, and developing talent that manages suppliers, diagnoses and addresses class performance trends, and influences and engages cross-functional partners to drive Wayfair growth. In this capacity, individual must:

1. Directly oversee the creation of processes, training materials, and communication channels that enable efficient learning
2. Coach effective collaboration between team members and cross-functional teams
3. Lead broader initiatives and learning agendas
4. Continuously improve these based on feedback.

• Develop and implement category strategy to achieve revenue and profitability goals
• Build profitable relationships with existing suppliers and execute negotiations to secure best pricing, sales programs, and promotional support
• Advance catalog expansion, including the identification of selection gaps, the prioritization of new item production, and the development of relationships with new target suppliers
• Collaborate across departments to drive business goals (departments include Promotions & Email Planning, Marketing & Advertising, Site Merchandising, Inventory Planning, Product Management, Supplier Operations, Brick & Mortar stores, Customer Service and Business Intelligence)
• Analyze data to strategize profit growth opportunities for the category and for specific supplier partners
• Partner closely with senior leaders to develop and enhance the Wayfair brand, site, and competitive positioning
• Analyze competitors' marketing, selection and pricing and make strategic changes
• Maintain industry expertise; keep tabs on trends and new product ideas
• Manage 3-5 individuals directly; train, develop and mentor associates and/or managers for broader team of 9-10
• Guide process improvements across the business
• Use technology to enhance business goals and customer experience

What You'll Need

• 6+ years of experience, preferred
• Demonstrated experience building a business or delivering against targets and goals in a fast and rapidly evolving environment
• Senior presence; able to clearly and consistently work side-by-side with a broad range of senior leaders and functions to achieve goals
• Analytical thinking and looks for (and finds) answers in the data
• Persuasive and articulate communication skills with excellent negotiations and relationship-building skills
• Evidence of "scrappy startup execution" and a "get it done" attitude when time is tight and stakes are high
• Innovative problem-solving skills – ability to dissect and resolve root causes of problems, and implement solutions
• A consistent track record of leadership and taking ownership
• Housewares / branded and Brick & mortar industry experience is a plus.

Wayfair is fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. As part of this commitment, Wayfair will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on business operations. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

Wayfair is one of the world's largest online destinations for the home. Whether you work in our global headquarters in Boston, or in our warehouses or offices throughout the world, we're reinventing the way people shop for their homes. Through our commitment to industry-leading technology and creative problem-solving, we are confident that Wayfair will be home to the most rewarding work of your career. If you're looking for rapid growth, constant learning, and dynamic challenges, then you'll find that amazing career opportunities are knocking.

No matter who you are, Wayfair is a place you can call home. We're a community of innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers who celebrate our differences, and know that our unique perspectives make us stronger, smarter, and well-positioned for success. We value and rely on the collective voices of our employees, customers, community, and suppliers to help guide us as we build a better Wayfair – and world – for all. Every voice, every perspective matters. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Your personal data is processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice. If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights under applicable privacy and data protection laws, please contact us at dataprotectionofficer@wayfair.com.

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