What makes this resume great
This resume is a strong example for a Category Manager because it demonstrates a clear career progression in category management roles, from analyst to manager. The candidate showcases a robust set of relevant skills, including supplier negotiation, assortment planning, and data analysis. The experience spans reputable companies and covers both home & kitchen and electronics categories, indicating versatility. The educational background in business administration supports the professional experience. The resume is also well-structured, with clear contact information and a professional online presence.
Resume summary examples for Category Manager
Example #1
Strong Summary
Results-driven Category Manager with 9+ years of experience in retail, specializing in assortment planning, supplier negotiation, and data-driven pricing strategies to maximize category growth and profitability.
Weak Summary
I have worked in retail for a while and have managed some categories.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Strategic leader with a proven track record of optimizing product assortments and driving sales growth through effective cross-functional collaboration and market analysis.
Weak Summary
I am good at working with teams and looking at market trends.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Experienced in managing multi-million dollar categories, leveraging strong analytical skills and supplier relationships to deliver consistent year-over-year revenue increases.
Weak Summary
I have experience managing categories and talking to suppliers.
Resume achievement examples for Category Manager
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Increased Home & Kitchen category sales by 18% year-over-year at RetailCo through strategic assortment optimization and targeted promotional planning.
Weak Achievement
Helped improve sales in the Home & Kitchen category.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Negotiated supplier contracts at ShopMart, reducing costs by 12% while expanding the electronics product assortment by 25 SKUs.
Weak Achievement
Worked with suppliers to get better deals and more products.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Implemented data-driven pricing strategies at MarketDirect, resulting in a 10% margin improvement across key product lines within one year.
Weak Achievement
Worked on pricing strategies to improve margins.
Essential skills for a Category Manager
- Category Management
- Assortment Planning
- Supplier Negotiation
- Data Analysis
- Pricing Strategy
- Inventory Management
- Project Management
- Market Research
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Promotional Planning
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Category Manager
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Category Manager.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Category Manager, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Category Manager (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.