Category Manager Jobs in North Carolina
Category Manager jobs in North Carolina are in steady demand, concentrated in retail, consumer packaged goods, healthcare supply chain, and manufacturing procurement across roles from entry-level buyer to senior category lead. The largest hiring metros are Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, where companies like Lowe's, Honeywell, and Food Lion maintain significant procurement and merchandising operations. The most sought-after specialties in North Carolina are indirect procurement, private-label development, and retail category management with analytics experience. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 36+ Category Manager jobs
ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE
Join Our Community of Food People!
Support and execute the implementation of US Foods division category strategy across the defined Area. Execute recommended assortment changes and support positive local vendor relationships for all DCs within the defined Area. Support Area and DC sales staff with product assortment updates, informational inquiries and delivery of merchandising goals for all DCs within that Area. Support all local customer requirements within the defined Area keeping in line with the national strategies coming from the Center.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs.
Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies.
Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs.
Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.
Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.
SUPERVISION
None
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal: Regional, Area and Distribution Center staff, up to and including members of the leadership team.
External: Customers, vendors, suppliers and all national / local food brokers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training: Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
Related Experience: Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required, working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.
This role may also receive incentive compensation. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html
#LI-PL1
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between
***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***
ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE
Join Our Community of Food People!
Support and execute the implementation of US Foods division category strategy across the defined Area. Execute recommended assortment changes and support positive local vendor relationships for all DCs within the defined Area. Support Area and DC sales staff with product assortment updates, informational inquiries and delivery of merchandising goals for all DCs within that Area. Support all local customer requirements within the defined Area keeping in line with the national strategies coming from the Center.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs.
Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies.
Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs.
Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.
Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.
SUPERVISION
None
RELATIONSHIPS
Internal: Regional, Area and Distribution Center staff, up to and including members of the leadership team.
External: Customers, vendors, suppliers and all national / local food brokers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training: Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
Related Experience: Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required, working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.
This role may also receive incentive compensation. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html
#LI-PL1
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between
***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***
See All 36 Category Manager Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Category Manager JobsCategory Manager Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Category Manager Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Retail
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in category manager jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or a related field required
- Three or more years of category management or merchandising experience preferred
- Proficiency in data analytics tools such as Excel, Nielsen, or Circana
- Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating supplier contracts
- Familiarity with planogram software and retail space planning principles
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with marketing and supply chain teams
Category Manager Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a category manager in North Carolina?
Most category managers in North Carolina enter the field through a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or marketing, followed by experience in buying, merchandising, or procurement. There is no state-issued license required for the role. Many North Carolina employers value candidates who have worked in buyer or analyst roles at retail or manufacturing companies and can demonstrate hands-on experience with vendor negotiations and category data.
How much do category managers make in North Carolina?
Category managers in North Carolina earn a median of about $138,710 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $94,240 for the lowest 10% to over $219,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire category managers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring category managers in North Carolina right now include Circle K, Trane Technologies, and Foodbuy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. North Carolina's strong retail and manufacturing base, anchored by companies like Lowe's and Food Lion, means category management roles appear consistently throughout the year across both corporate and regional operations.
Which North Carolina cities have the most category manager jobs?
Charlotte, Davidson, and Greensboro have the most category manager openings in North Carolina. Charlotte leads because of its concentration of retail headquarters and large CPG operations, while Raleigh's growth in technology and healthcare procurement drives demand there, and Greensboro draws openings from the distribution and manufacturing companies clustered in the Piedmont Triad region.
Are there remote category manager jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many fields, since category management is largely analytical and can be done effectively from home. About 69% of category manager openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the work. Vendor data analysis, assortment planning, and reporting tasks are the parts of the role most commonly performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a category manager in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a category analyst, merchandise assistant, or procurement coordinator at a North Carolina retailer or manufacturer, then moving into a category manager role after building vendor and data skills. Companies like Lowe's in Mooresville and Food Lion in Salisbury run structured buying and merchandising programs that bring in early-career candidates. A strong foundation in Excel-based data analysis and a willingness to complete a rotational role in supply chain or store operations can accelerate the transition.
Where can I find and apply to category manager jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to category manager jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 36 Category Manager Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Category Manager Jobs