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Category Manager - Bed Bath & Beyond
Company : Kirkland's, Inc.
Location : Brentwood, TN, 37027
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
We’re looking for leaders who know how to drive results through strong vendor relationships, strategic assortment planning, and a deep understanding of the home customer.You’ll help build and manage businesses across bedding, bath, housewares, kitchen electrics, tabletop, storage & organization and beauty & personal care - categories that define how people live, cook, and create home.
Together, we’re rebuilding a beloved brand and reimagining what “everything home” means today.
The Retail Category Manager oversees a designated product category across retail channels, ensuring it aligns with customer needs and business goals. This role blends strategic planning, vendor negotiation, and performance analysis to maximize category growth and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement long-term strategies for assigned product categories, including assortment, pricing, and promotional plans.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and secure favorable terms.
- Select and manage the product mix to meet customer demand and seasonal trends.
- Set competitive pricing strategies and coordinate promotional activities to boost sales.
- Monitor category KPIs such as sales, margin, inventory turnover, and customer engagement.
- Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and consumer behavior to guide decision-making.
- Work with marketing, supply chain, and store operations to ensure cohesive execution of category initiatives.
- Communicates merchandising strategies to cross functional teams to ensure proper and timely execution of strategy.
- Optimize stock levels and manage product lifecycle from launch to markdown.
- Champion and demonstrate a commitment to The Brand House Collective Values
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising, or related field.
- 3–5 years in category management, merchandising, or retail buying.
- Proficiency in data analysis and performance metrics.
- Strong ability to negotiate with vendors and manage contracts.
- Financial acumen to manage budgets, optimize margins, and drive profitability across product categories.
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Familiarity with merchandising systems, Excel, and analytics platforms.
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time
- Ability to travel
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Frequently asked questions
Success in this role hinges on adept vendor negotiation, strategic assortment planning tailored to home customer preferences, and proficiency with performance metrics. Mastery of merchandising systems and a data-driven mindset are essential to effectively manage diverse categories like bedding, kitchen electrics, and beauty.
The position requires continuous market analysis to adjust product mixes and pricing for seasonal demand fluctuations specific to Brentwood shoppers. Collaborating with marketing and operations ensures timely execution of promotional plans that resonate locally and drive category growth.
Advancement often involves expanding category scope or moving into director-level roles overseeing multiple product lines. Kirkland's prioritizes leadership development, enabling Category Managers to transition into strategic roles influencing broader merchandising and vendor management decisions.
Market data indicates Category Managers in Brentwood earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually, depending on experience and negotiation skills. This aligns with regional retail management salaries, reflecting the role’s requirement for vendor relations and category profitability oversight.
Brentwood’s expanding retail market has seen a moderate increase in demand for category managers, but competition remains balanced due to a steady supply of qualified professionals. Candidates with strong analytics and vendor negotiation skills typically stand out.
Brentwood shoppers often seek a blend of quality and innovation in home goods, pushing Category Managers to anticipate evolving consumer behaviors quickly. Managing inventory turnover while meeting local preferences for bedding, bath, and kitchen products demands agile and informed decision-making.
Kirkland's fosters cross-functional collaboration, providing access to robust analytics tools and marketing resources. This support enables Category Managers to optimize pricing strategies, supplier contracts, and promotional activities that directly impact category margins.
The emphasis lies in curating assortments that reflect contemporary home lifestyles across bedding, storage, and personal care. Candidates must be comfortable juggling diverse categories while aligning strategies with Kirkland's vision of redefining 'everything home.'
Periodic travel is important to develop vendor relationships and attend industry events. This exposure enhances category insights and supports negotiation efforts, ensuring alignment with Kirkland's strategic goals across retail channels.
Daily tasks involve analyzing sales data, adjusting assortment plans, coordinating with supply chain teams, and negotiating with suppliers. The role demands constant monitoring of category KPIs to swiftly address market shifts and maintain competitive pricing.