Associate Category Manager

Job Summary

Gardner White Furniture is seeking a motivated, organized, creative, and detail-oriented Associate Category Manager to join our Merchandising team. This role is responsible for supporting the development, management, and execution of product assortments within an assigned merchandise category. Assigned categories may include Upholstery, Case Goods, Fireplaces, Occasional Tables, Top of Bed, Accent Furniture, or other product classifications as determined by business needs. The Associate Category Manager works closely with senior merchandising leaders to support assortment planning, vendor management, product development, and merchandising initiatives while helping bring new products from concept to showroom floor. This position partners cross-functionally to ensure successful product launches, strong sales performance, and an exceptional customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of assortments within assigned merchandise categories.
• Collaborate with merchandising leadership to identify product opportunities, emerging design trends, and category growth initiatives.
• Participate in vendor meetings to review new product introductions, discuss pricing and trends, and plan future assortments.
• Coordinate product launches from purchase through in-store and online execution.
• Partner with Marketing, E-Commerce, Inventory, and Store Operations to ensure products are launched accurately and on time.
• Manage product setup for the website, including specifications, photography, descriptions, pricing, and merchandising attributes.
• Assist in developing product knowledge materials and coordinate sales training initiatives with vendor partners.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, margins, and product lifecycle data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Assist with showroom floor planning, collection placement, visual merchandising, and seasonal floor resets.
• Monitor customer trends, competitive activity, and market insights to support assortment decisions.
• Maintain accurate product information, purchase documentation, pricing, and vendor records.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners while ensuring project timelines and deliverables are met.
• Attend furniture markets, vendor showrooms, and industry events to identify new products and market trends.
• Support cross-functional projects and additional merchandising initiatives as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.