Assistant Category Manager, Scholastic Dollars Program

📋 Description

• • The Assistant Category Manager supports the execution and optimization of category strategies by leveraging data, managing key operational processes, and driving cross-functional initiatives. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate and actionable data, supporting e-commerce readiness, and contributing to special projects that enhance category performance. Working closely with the Senior Category Manager or Director, the Assistant Category Manager plays a critical role in translating strategic direction into execution, ensuring alignment across merchandising, marketing, and supply chain functions.
• • Day-to-day responsibilities include managing and maintaining category data integrity across systems (item descriptions, images, online search keywords, supplemental data, and starred reviews), monitoring category performance, preparing regular reporting and insights for leadership, analyzing sales, margin, and market data (including Scholastic Dollars performance and publishing industry trends), executing category strategies as directed, participating in book selection by reading, reviewing, and recommending books for the Scholastic Dollars Catalog, collaborating cross-functionally with merchandising, marketing, inventory planning, and operations teams, supporting special projects (new product launches, assortment expansions, process improvements), identifying and implementing process improvements, assisting in reviewing and proofing print marketing materials, providing e-commerce data support (item setup, content accuracy, optimization), and managing the proofing process of monthly new releases to ensure accuracy in product details.
• • The role operates within Scholastic Inc.’s Publishing job family group, contributing to the Scholastic Dollars Program, which supports educational initiatives through book fairs and school-based purchasing. The team emphasizes data-driven decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and a passion for books and publishing, with a focus on delivering high-quality category performance in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• • The person in this role will develop strong analytical and data management skills, gain hands-on experience in category management and merchandising within the publishing industry, refine their ability to translate data into actionable insights, enhance cross-functional collaboration and project execution capabilities, and build expertise in e-commerce readiness and product lifecycle support—positioning them for growth into senior category management or merchandising roles within Scholastic or the broader retail and publishing sectors.