Senior Director of Category Management

Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.

One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.

The Senior Director Category Management leads the enterprise category management strategy and operating model, ensuring alignment between commercial objectives, customer needs, sourcing strategies, supplier partnerships, and business priorities. This role drives long-term category portfolio performance by overseeing category leadership teams, establishing enterprise standards and governance, and integrating category investments across business units to accelerate growth, profitability, and competitive advantage.

Essential Functions

Define the enterprise category management vision, portfolio strategy, and multi-year roadmap, ensuring alignment with organizational growth objectives, customer needs, supplier capabilities, and market opportunities.

Lead category management leaders across multiple categories or business segments, establishing priorities, governance, and performance expectations that drive consistent execution and business results.

Establish and evolve enterprise frameworks, policies, and operating standards governing category strategy, assortment architecture, supplier management, sourcing practices, pricing governance, promotions, and lifecycle management.

Direct enterprise portfolio reviews and category investment planning, balancing growth opportunities, margin objectives, inventory efficiency, supply continuity, and customer value creation across the category portfolio.

Oversee the development of advanced category analytics, customer insights, and performance measurement capabilities that inform strategic decisions, improve forecasting accuracy, and strengthen competitive positioning.

Sponsor strategic supplier partnerships and executive-level business planning activities that drive innovation, improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and create long-term value for the organization.

Partner with executive leadership across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement to align category strategies, resource investments, and transformation initiatives with organizational objectives.

Build organizational capability through leadership of directors and managers, succession planning, talent development, budget oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen category management effectiveness across the enterprise.

Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

People Management

Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties

Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company’s Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management or equivalent education and/or experience

12 years in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, merchandising or related disciplines

6 years leadership or people management experience

Preferred Requirements

Master's Degree Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Marketing or equivalent education and/or experience

Executive-level experience leading category strategy across multiple business units, product portfolios, or market segments

Experience leveraging advanced analytics, customer insights, and market intelligence to drive enterprise decision-making

Experience overseeing large-scale supplier partnerships, strategic sourcing programs, and enterprise contract governance

Demonstrated success leading business transformation, organizational change, and category performance improvement initiatives

Skills and Abilities

Expert knowledge of category management, portfolio strategy, strategic sourcing, supplier governance, and merchandising principles

Executive leadership capabilities for directing multiple levels of management and driving enterprise-wide organizational outcomes

Strategic business acumen with expertise in balancing growth, profitability, customer value, supply continuity, and competitive positioning

Advanced financial and analytical expertise used to evaluate portfolio performance, investment opportunities, market trends, and business risks

Executive influencing and stakeholder management capabilities with demonstrated success leading through collaboration and organizational alignment

Organizational development expertise focused on building leadership capability, succession pipelines, and high-performing teams

Change leadership experience driving enterprise transformation, process improvement, and operating model evolution

Strong communication and presentation capabilities for engaging executive leadership, suppliers, business partners, and external stakeholders

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Communicate/Hearing Frequently

Communicate/Talking Frequently

Learn New Tasks or Concepts Frequently

Make Timely Decisions in the Context of a Workflow Frequently

Complete Tasks Independently Constantly

Maintain Focus Constantly

Remember Processes & Procedures Constantly

Stationary Position (Seated) Constantly

Vision Constantly

Hand/Eye Coordination Occasionally

Bend Rarely

Complete Tasks in a Noisy Environment Rarely

Feeling/Grasping/Handling Rarely

Move/Traverse Rarely

Repetitive Motions Rarely

Working Environment

Hazards Occasionally

Environmental Conditions

Office: This position primarily operates in a professional office environment in which team members occupy desks in assigned areas or at meeting/collaboration spaces within the building. The building's primary work areas consist of desks, chairs, computers, and other office equipment and devices for professional services.

Travel Requirements

This position may require occasional travel 10% (e.g., supplier executive meetings, line reviews, industry events), up to 10%

What's In It For You:

We provide competitive benefits, unique incentive programs and rewards for our eligible employees:

Full Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits and an integrated Wellness Program

401(k) Match Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Holiday Pay & Floating Holidays

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Educational Assistance Program

Full Paid Parental and Adoption Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Patterson Perks Program

The potential compensation range for this role is below. The final offer amount could exceed this range, based on various factors such as candidate location (geographical labor market), experience, and skills.

$177,700.00 - $237,033.33

EEO Statement

Patterson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.