Leslie's · 1 week ago
Category Manager
Phoenix, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expLeslie's Pool Supplies is the world's largest retailer of swimming pool supplies, offering diverse career opportunities. The Category Manager is responsible for driving financial performance and strategic growth within a defined product segment across various sales channels.
Consumer GoodsE-CommerceRetail
No H1B
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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Merchandising, Economics, or a related field, or comparable work experience
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
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
Preferred
MBA or advanced degree a plus
Familiarity with Power BI
Benefits
Competitive compensation
Extensive paid training
Comprehensive and flexible suite of benefits package
401K with company match
Team member discounts
Rewards for top performers
Career advancement opportunities
Company
Leslie's
In March of 1963, a one-man pool supply operation working out of a backyard shed in North Hollywood, California, began.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
unknown2020-10-28IPO
2017-01-17Acquired
Leadership Team
Jason McDonell
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Lindquist
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Recent News
2026-01-16
2026-01-09
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase