Join the only professional association committed to advancing category management.
Our only vested interest is in our members.
Community
As a member of the Category Management Association, you are a member of the global category management community. As a member of this community, you help to define the function and strategy, shape standards and best practices, and create innovations.
Whether through active participation, training and certification, or by simply connecting with your peers around the world, membership enhances your professionalism and shows a commitment to your career.
What is a category manager?
The term “category manager” in today’s market encompasses a broad range of strategic planning functions including: consumer and shopper insights and marketing, in-store execution and merchandising, space management, trade promotions, and pricing.
On the manufacturing side, catman professionals are expected to be experts in many fields, a liaison among departments, and the owner of a strategy specific to their brand. Retailers also expect this same level of expertise, plus a strategy for every store location and category, whole aisle, whole store, and private label.
The Association is helping to better define the profession and set common expectations to evolve both internal and trading partner relationships.
What are the standards of Category Management?
The Category Management Training Standards and Certifications Steering Committee is made up of dedicated volunteers from leading manufacturers, retailers, trainers, and universities. The committee’s ongoing mission consists of three key deliverables:
- General guidelines for a manufacturer’s category management organizational structure and roles
- Defined skill proficiency expected in category management roles
- Certification of training programs that conform to the standards established by this committee with sufficient rigor to merit the endorsement
Its first document was approved in December 2009 and is used for certification, benchmarking, internal skill audits, and hiring standards.
How can we innovate?
Having a common language and common standards in place, provides the means for better collaboration, and joint value creation is the catalyst for improvement and innovation. With the "blocking and tackling" done, category managers can focus on new strategies and creative plans.
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