We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to join our team, working on-site from our San Francisco office. In this role you will be a key member of our Merchandising function, contributing directly to our goals and working closely with talented colleagues across the business.
This is a hands-on role with real ownership and impact. You will apply your skills in Category Management, Pricing and Vendor Management to solve interesting problems, ship work you can be proud of and help us raise the bar for what we do. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, share your ideas openly and have the support you need to do your best work and grow along the way.
You will bring around 4 to 7 years of relevant experience and strong, practical knowledge of Category Management, Pricing and Vendor Management. Just as important are clear communication, sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to collaborate effectively with people across different teams and backgrounds.
Within your first few months, you will get up to speed with our products, processes and people, build strong working relationships across the team, and begin taking ownership of your own work. Over time, you will have the opportunity to deepen your expertise, take on broader scope and grow your career with us as the company continues to scale.
In return, we offer a supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment, competitive pay, meaningful benefits and the chance to do work that genuinely matters. We care about our people, invest in their growth and want everyone here to be able to do the best work of their careers.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Ember Collective is an equal-opportunity employer: we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Apply today and tell us why you would be a great fit.
Responsibilities
As a Category Manager at Ember Collective, you will play a central role within our Merchandising function and take ownership of a broad and varied set of responsibilities. Working alongside a collaborative, motivated team, your day-to-day duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:- Mentor, coach and support more junior team members, helping them grow and do their best work.
- Identify capability gaps and contribute to hiring and team development.
- Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and design and implement process improvements.
- Negotiate with and manage vendors, contractors and service providers.
- Manage inventory, resources and scheduling to balance cost, service and quality.
- Monitor key performance indicators and take corrective action to keep operations on track.
- Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure processes run smoothly, efficiently and to a high standard.
- Maintain rigorous standards of quality, safety, compliance and documentation.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and customer focus.
- Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures and continuously refine them.
- Lead, train and support team members to deliver consistent, reliable results.
- Support planning, budgeting and resource allocation for the function.
- Prepare operational reports and provide clear updates to management and stakeholders.
- Coordinate across internal teams, suppliers and partners to deliver on commitments and timelines.
- Contribute to a culture of accountability, learning from mistakes and celebrating shared wins.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, care and integrity at all times.
- Uphold the company's values, policies, security requirements and standards of professional conduct in all activities.
- Proactively flag dependencies and coordinate with other teams to keep work moving smoothly.
- Contribute actively to a positive, inclusive, supportive and collaborative team culture.
- Continuously develop your skills, seek feedback and stay current with the latest developments in your field.
- Bring energy, curiosity and a solutions-focused mindset to everyday challenges.
- Ensure your work meets agreed quality, compliance and security standards before it is considered complete.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support onboarding, knowledge-sharing and documentation so the wider team can learn, scale and succeed.
- Take full ownership of your work, manage your own priorities and consistently deliver to a high standard and on time.
- Maintain accurate, thorough documentation and keep all relevant systems, tools and trackers up to date.
- Represent the team and the company professionally in internal and external interactions.
- Plan and manage your workload to balance quality, speed and competing demands.
- Communicate progress, risks and blockers clearly and proactively to your manager and relevant stakeholders.
What we're looking for
4-7 years of professional experience in a Category Manager or similar roleStrong working knowledge of Category Management, Pricing and Vendor Management
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration
Excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills
Benefits
At Ember Collective, we believe that looking after our people is the foundation of doing great work. We offer a comprehensive, thoughtfully designed benefits and perks package that supports your health, your finances, your growth and your life outside of work. When you join us, you can expect the following:- Flexible working hours that let you do your best work while balancing your personal life and commitments.
- Additional wellbeing and volunteering days each year to look after yourself and give back to your community.
- Regular recognition and appreciation for great work, both publicly and privately.
- a 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match, helping you build long-term financial security for the future.
- Flexible time-off arrangements and the trust to take the breaks you need, when you need them.
- Wellness perks such as gym and fitness-membership support, plus wellbeing initiatives throughout the year.
- Wellness initiatives throughout the year, from health talks and screenings to fitness challenges and mindfulness sessions.
- Full sponsorship for relevant professional certifications, memberships and qualifications.
- Structured mentorship, regular feedback and clear, transparent career-progression frameworks to help you grow.
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance for you and your dependants, so you and your family are well looked after.
- A dedicated annual learning and development budget you can spend on courses, books, certifications and conferences.
- Free snacks, beverages and regular catered meals to keep you fuelled through the day.
- a generous annual leave allowance well above the statutory minimum, plus public holidays, because rest and time to recharge are essential to doing great, sustainable work.
- A flat, low-ego environment where good ideas can come from anyone and are acted upon.
- Thoughtful welcome kits, branded swag and little extras that make you feel part of the team.
- Employee stock options (ESOPs), giving you a genuine stake in the company's growth and long-term success.
- A home-office set-up allowance plus the laptop, equipment and tools you need to work comfortably and productively.
- A competitive salary that is reviewed regularly and benchmarked against the market to keep your pay fair and current.
- Allowances and reimbursements for work-related expenses, handled quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy.
- The chance to do meaningful, high-impact work alongside talented, friendly, humble and ambitious colleagues.
- Company-funded health insurance with access to a wide network of hospitals and clinics, plus an annual preventive health check-up.
- Access to telemedicine and online doctor consultations so you can get care quickly, wherever you are.
- Opportunities to attend, speak at and learn from industry events and conferences.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration