Category Manager - Kitchen and Bath

Position Title: Category Manager - Kitchen and Bath

Department: Business Development

Location: Remote

Reports To: Senior Director – Business Development

Installation Made Easy (“IME”) provides software and process management that enable retailers and contractors to offer installed home improvements to homeowners in a convenient, consistent, and affordable manner. IME senior management has over 100 years of retail management and home improvement industry experience.

The Category Manager’s primary responsibility is to develop and execute strategies for assigned home improvement categories that generate new leads, increase sales and revenue, enhance competitiveness, and improve customer satisfaction across partner networks. The Category Manager serves as the subject matter expert for each assigned category and is accountable for measurable category performance and continuous improvement.

To achieve these goals, the Category Manager analyzes category metrics, market trends, customer behavior, and competitor performance; develops coordinated promotional strategies with IME, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers; and conducts regular business reviews. The role also owns category-specific initiatives, including Wizards, Spec Sheets, and program improvements, ensuring projects advance on schedule and deliver meaningful business results. This position is highly visible within the company and will have frequent interaction with senior leadership and other departments.

An ideal candidate will be results-driven, proactive, and highly organized, with the ability to use IME technology and operational data to improve category performance. This individual will build productive internal and external relationships, clear obstacles, communicate next steps, and drive multiple initiatives forward in a collaborative environment without direct internal reports.

Essential Functions:

• Own and manage strategic direction for assigned product categories to drive sales growth, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction across partner networks.
• Develop and execute category plans with measurable leads, sales, and revenue goals; routinely review results, identify gaps, and take corrective action.
• Own category-specific projects and improvements, including Wizards, Spec Sheets, and related technology or process initiatives; maintain project plans, milestones, deadlines, and action items.
• Be a subject matter expert for assigned categories with a large emphasis on performance.
• Use knowledge of IME systems and workflows to identify opportunities to improve category programs, partner experience, and operational efficiency.
• Proactively engage manufacturers, distributors, and dealer networks; document partner feedback, communicate next steps, and resolve or escalate barriers to progress.
• Maintain and execute category promotional calendars, evaluate promotion effectiveness, and adjust quarterly promotional strategies based on performance.
• Analyze key category reports, including leads, sales, revenue, recruitment or assignment needs, ZIP-code coverage, work order cycle time, customer surveys, and promotions, to guide decisions.
• Conduct monthly internal and external business reviews, including documented feedback and follow-up actions; regularly research industry trends and outside factors affecting assigned categories.
• Complete periodic competitor reviews and category content audits to keep Spec Sheets, Wizards, and Knowledge Vault materials accurate, current, and aligned with program requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, proactively share category knowledge, track outstanding actions, and ensure commitments and project deadlines are met.
• Ensure accurate and consistent category information across all partner-facing and consumer-facing platforms.
• Work with marketing teams to influence promotional strategy, visual merchandising, and creative campaigns.
• Stay active in the industry through trade shows, factory visits, and customer-facing events to maintain category expertise and identify new business opportunities.
• Perform other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• 4+ years of proven experience in Kitchen and Bath, Flooring, Exteriors, MEP or other home improvement categories, with a strong understanding of product lines, installation processes, and vendor/contractor coordination in these areas.
• 4+ years of retail experience
• Professional demeanor.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of an organization, including executive and C-level
• Exceptional organization skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at a time, while maintaining efficiency and sharp attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to changing or multiple priorities.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

The Category Manager position may require some travel but will be very limited and less than 10%. The Category Manager may be asked to perform additional tasks that are not listed above. In addition, the list of primary responsibilities may change over time.