Summary:  The Category Manager - Fasteners is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, profitability, and growth of the Fastener core product category across the distribution network. This role, along with the sales department and General Managers, will be responsible for performance in the Fastener category, including pricing strategy, supplier management, inventory optimization, sales enablement, marketing execution, training, and supply chain strategy. This role will work directly with our sales leaders, sales teams, customers, supply chain team, and supply chain partners to drive growth for the fastener category.

           This role operates within an enterprise category management model, where success is achieved through cross‑functional alignment, influence, and decision clarity rather than direct line authority. The Category Manager partners closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and General Managers, with unresolved conflicts escalated through established governance.

               Fastener Core Product Category Includes:

• Nails, screws, connectors, and other fastener products – branded, non-branded and private label

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Category Strategy and Ownership
  • Accountable for the performance of the Fastener category through strategy development, cross‑functional leadership, and influence—driving revenue growth, margin expansion, and inventory efficiency.
  • Develop and execute a long-term category strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
  • Serve as the internal subject matter expert for Fasteners across Sales, Purchasing, Operations, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
  • Establish category forecasts, budgets, and key performance metrics; regularly review results and identify opportunities.
  • Supplier strategy leadership includes vendor roles, assortment positioning, and commercial frameworks; transactional purchasing and supplier execution remain within Supply Chain.
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• Sales Alignment and Supplier Strategy
  • Develop coordinated sales and purchasing strategies that balance service levels, inventory turns, and working capital.
  • Collaborate with Sales Directors and Regional Sales Managers to establish targets, goals, and opportunities.
  • Support key customer programs, bids, and strategic opportunities related to millwork.
  • Support achievement of sales, gross margin, year‑over‑year growth, and profitability targets across warehouse and mill‑direct channels through category strategy, pricing architecture, and sales enablement.
  • Guide assortment decisions by customer segment, channel, and market.
  • Define recommended SKU rationalization, assortment standards, and stocking profiles by location and region, partnering with GMs and Supply Chain to address market‑specific constraints.
  • Optimize inventory levels to improve turns, reduce obsolete stock, and maintain fill rates.
  • Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to align stocking strategy with demand planning.
• Pricing Structure and Strategy
  • Establish and maintain pricing architecture and margin guardrails for fastener products, in partnership with Finance and Sales leadership.
  • Partner with Sales leadership to ensure pricing strategies support both win-rate and profitability.
  • Collaborate with supply chain and pricing team to manage vendor cost changes, tariffs, and freight impacts as applicable.
  • Maintain governance and documentation of pricing programs and exceptions
  • This role defines enterprise standards; execution occurs through Sales, Supply Chain, and branch leadership.
• Training and Sales Enablement
  • Design, prioritize, and support fastener training programs for sales, purchasing, and branch personnel, leveraging internal and external resources where appropriate.
  • Create tools and resources that improve product knowledge, selling confidence, and specification accuracy.
  • Serve as a key resource for onboarding and ongoing education.
  • Conduct ride-a-longs and field engagement with outside sales teams.
  • Maintain regular communication with sales teams and customers regarding market conditions, pricing, opportunities, and order status.
• Marketing and Go-to-Market
  • Collaborate with Marketing Department to develop and maintain category-specific physical and digital content, messaging, collateral, and sales campaigns.
  • Lead fastener category go-to-market strategies, including product launches and promotional programs.
  • Ensure category positioning aligns with target customer segments and competitive dynamics.
• Operational Effectiveness and Communication
  • Maintain effective organization, prioritization, and time management across strategic, field, and internal responsibilities.
  • Communicate proactively and cross-functionally to support customer needs and business objectives.
  • Balance travel, field engagement, and office time to maximize effectiveness.
  • Pursue ongoing professional and leadership development.

               Our Culture:

• Our Core Values- Servant Leaders, integrity, customer focus, safety, and respect for people.

• Our Division- Committed, empowered, inquisitive, collaborative, and urgent.
• Our Sales Team- Passionate, tenacious, creative, hungry, and competitive.
• Our Sales Process- Professional, consultative, sense of urgency, persistent and customer centric.
• Our Sales Team Leadership- Empathetic, humble, mentors, patient, and accountable.

               Qualifications:

               To perform this role effectively, the individual must be able to carry out all essential job duties to an acceptable standard. The qualifications outlined below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful performance. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This role also requires possession of a valid state driver’s license.

Education and/or Experience:                                                  

               Bachelor’s Degree is preferred but not a prerequisite. 8–12+ years’ experience in building materials distribution, fasteners, or related categories, unless currently in another role within our organization.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated drive for results, accountability, and continuous improvement. Candidate should have above average skills in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They should have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Attention to detail a must. Must have time management skills, be self-motivated, be able to build relationships, and always maintain a positive attitude. Customer facing roles require maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive company image to the public.  Position requires travel with overnight stay.

Supervisory Requirements

Direct reports to be determined.

Physical Demands:

               The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

               While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.  The employee must be able to lift, stock, cull, or inspect material on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. 

Work Environment:

               The work environment fluctuates between travel to customer locations, remote at home office, company branches, and industry events.