Category Manager

Overview

Category Manager

Location: Austin, TX (In Office), Pearland, TX (In Office)

Pay Range

$130,000 – $500,000+ total compensation

This is not a title-based range.
It is a capability-based range.

Compensation Philosophy

• $130k–$200k: Proven category manager, strong executor
• $200k–$300k: High-performing category owner, trusted decision‑maker
• $400k–$500k+: Rare contributor who consistently drives outsized financial impact

The Role

Buc-ee’s is hiring Category Managers to own and grow major merchandise categories.

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, analytics, pricing, merchandising, and supplier relationships.

You will not just analyze performance. You will own category outcomes and drive decisions that materially impact revenue and margin.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Creating and developing a long-term plan and ongoing strategy for development of the category
• Own category performance: sales, margin, pricing, assortment, and execution
• Build long-term category strategy and annual operating plans
• Lead pricing strategy, competitive positioning, and assortment planning
• Identify and close category opportunity gaps
• Lead SKU rationalization and promotion strategy
• Develop and manage supplier relationships and negotiations
• Translate data into clear operational decisions
• Conduct field visits to improve store-level execution
• Build executive-level reporting and decision support
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with merchandising, operations, and IT
• Project management which will include developing project plans, processes, and timeline
• Develop key supplier relationships for category management initiatives

Who This Role Is For

This role is for high judgment operators who:

• Are comfortable owning decisions, not just analysis
• Think strategically about category growth and profitability
• Communicate insights to executives without noise
• Care about results more than titles

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Category experience is valuable, but high capability operators who learn quickly can succeed here.

Required Capabilities

• Advanced Excel skills (non-negotiable)
• Strong experience working with large retail or operational datasets
• Experience building pricing, assortment, or category strategy
• Data visualization experience (Tableau, MicroStrategy, or similar)
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities

Education & Experience

• BA/BS + 2–4 years relevant experience

or

• Master’s degree + 1–2 years relevant experience

We value capability and judgment over pedigree.

Benefits

25 days PTO (use it, cash it, or roll it)
Medical, Dental, Vision
401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
Long-term growth and advancement opportunities

This is an in-office role. Remote work is not available.