Senior Category Leader

WHO ARE WE: BlackHawk Industrial provides you with the highest quality industrial products and equipment, offering manufacturing services while creating innovative engineered supply solutions. We truly believe in the importance of the local relationships with the customers we service. Our employees have fun every day exceeding the expectations of our customers, suppliers, and shareholders. We distinguish ourselves as the #1 choice of industrial manufacturers who are in need of Technical Service and Production Savings.

We are BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE, and SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE.

SUMMARY: The Senior Category Leader is responsible for owning the performance of the Round Cutting Tools category, including developing and executing strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, market share expansion, and supplier alignment. This category leader owns the category strategy, pricing strategy, supplier management, assortment optimization, and commercial execution for both national brands and BlackHawk private label offerings within the category. The Senior Category Leader partners closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and supplier partners to identify growth opportunities, support strategic customer initiatives, and deliver business results. This position serves as the primary business owner for the Round Cutting Tools category

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Category Strategy & Business Leadership

• Develop and execute the strategic vision and business plan for the Round Cutting Tools category and related metalworking product categories as assigned.
• Drive revenue growth, gross margin improvement, and market share expansion.
• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities across products, suppliers, markets, and customer segments.
• Establish annual objectives, business plans, and performance targets.
• Manage category profitability and key performance indicators.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive activity, customer needs, and assortment opportunities.

• Conduct regular category reviews and business performance assessments.
• Lead initiatives that improve category effectiveness, operational execution, and overall business performance.

Supplier Management & Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key supplier partners.
• Lead joint business planning activities and supplier growth initiatives.
• Negotiate marketing programs, supplier investments, and growth opportunities.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement efforts.
• Align supplier strategies with BlackHawk's growth objectives and customer needs.

Commercial Leadership

• Partner closely with Sales leadership to identify opportunities, remove barriers, and accelerate category growth.
• Support strategic customer opportunities and key account initiatives.
• Lead category positioning, assortment optimization, pricing strategies, and supplier alignment.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, eCommerce, and Sales teams to ensure successful execution of category initiatives.
• Provide category expertise and guidance to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Serve as a key member of the Category Management leadership team.
• Influence and collaborate effectively across multiple functions and organizational levels.
• Lead strategic projects and initiatives that impact business performance.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, category management, product management, or related commercial leadership roles.
• Significant experience within the metalworking industry, including deep knowledge of Round Cutting Tools.
• Demonstrated success managing strategic supplier relationships and business performance.
• Strong commercial, financial, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic business plans.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and growth-oriented environment.
• Experience managing large product categories within industrial distribution.
• Working knowledge of tooling, workholding, metalworking applications, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience partnering with senior and executive leadership teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree (MBA or related discipline).
• Experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of industrial distribution market dynamics and channel strategies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• None required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Employee is regularly required to speak and hear English, stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. Employee is required to use computer or other equipment.
• Employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to _25_ pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to clearly focus.

PPE REQUIRED:

• Eye protection, hearing protection, foot protection with metatarsal guard, puncture proof gloves.