Fast Facts

The Microsoft Category Manager role at CDW involves leadership in managing product categories to drive profitability and revenue through strategic partner management, marketing, and customer-focused initiatives.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include overseeing product management and marketing, developing partner relationships, establishing pricing strategies, and managing inventory while ensuring alignment with company goals and customer needs.

Skills: Required skills include strong analytical and financial capabilities, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Marketing or related field, along with 5 years of relevant experience and previous coaching or mentoring roles are preferred.

Location: Position based in Chicago, Illinois with up to 20% travel required.

Compensation: $111000 - $154200 / Annually

Description

At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It’s why we’re coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we’re headed. We’re proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.

Job Summary

The Manager, PPM manages a team that focuses on the pre-determined product categories assigned. This role drives profitability and revenue through the integration and development of programs for product and partners within the CDW portfolio. The incumbent evaluates, creates, executes, and measures opportunities around the CDW product and partner mix. The Category Manager is responsible for all areas of partner management and partner investment including COOP, VIR and financial programs. This role aligns CDW and assigned partners’ marketing plans, along with owns, manages, and develops all assigned key partner relationships, and works closely with segment and sales leaders to develop customer segment focus strategies.

What you’ll do

• Provide leadership to coworkers through coaching, feedback, development goals, and performance management
• Own and maximize PCM – Partner Controllable Margin
• Establish pricing strategies, monitors competitive activity, oversees product information, and identifies customer needs
• Responsible for the creation of customer offers
• Oversee the development of marketing plans for their product portfolio
• Responsible for maximizing revenue, profit, and vendor co-op for specific product category(s) through planning and marketing
• Manage and interface with partners to develop or enhance the marketing of product(s) or product line(s)
• Lead and direct merchandising activities
• Assess and understand competitive landscape and adjust direction as needed
• Manage SKUs per product categories
• Identify emerging technologies and industry trends within the category and adjust the plan accordingly
• Act as an escalation point and liaison between the vendor and CDW
• Engage with Purchasing to help forecast sales, assist with promotional buy in opportunities with partners and communicate shifts in market pricing to help with buying decisions
• Approve content for respective manufacturer ads
• Create and maintain an annual business plan
• Lead efforts to increase customer and account manager penetration for their category(s)
• Up to 20% travel

What we expect of you

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Marketing, or related field
• 5 years of product management, marketing, supply chain, sales or finance experience
• Prior experience coaching or mentoring others

Preferred skills, experience, and qualities needed

• Proven track record in product management/marketing a product line(s).
• Strong cross-functional team skills
• Strong strategic and executional leader
• Demonstrated financial and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels
• History of building and maintaining relationships
• Strong conflict resolution skills with the ability to be persuasive
• The ability to multitask effectively and see projects through from inception to completion
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

Pay range: $111,000 - $154,200 depending on experience and skill set

Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan

Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/

Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

We make technology work so people can do great things.  

CDW is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize return on their technology investments. Together, we unite. Together, we win. Together, we thrive.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law. 

CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, CDW’s goal is to get to know you as an applicant and understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. While AI can help you present yourself more clearly and effectively, the essence of your application should be authentically yours. To learn more, please review CDW's AI Applicant Notice.