What is the main function of a category management team?

The main function of a category management team is to collaborate on strategies and executions that enhance category performance. This involves analyzing consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive positioning to optimize product assortments, pricing, and merchandising within specific categories. The goal is to maximize sales and profitability for both the retailer and the suppliers by managing product categories as strategic business units.

This collaborative approach helps ensure that decisions are made holistically, considering various factors that impact category performance, such as inventory management, promotions, and customer insights. By focusing on category performance, the team can drive initiatives that respond to market demand and create value for both the customers and the business.

While developing marketing campaigns, managing supplier relationships, or overseeing customer service could be components of a broader strategy, these activities do not encapsulate the primary focus of a category management team, which is fundamentally about enhancing the performance of specific product categories within the marketplace.