Category Manager

About the role

This role is essential to Extend's strategic growth initiatives, focusing on defining, developing, and executing category-specific strategies that align with the company's overall objectives. As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for shaping the direction of product offerings within your assigned verticals, leveraging market insights, customer feedback, and sales data to inform decision-making. Your work will directly influence the product roadmap, go-to-market plans, and revenue generation efforts. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for expansion, optimize pricing strategies, and develop tailored solutions for major retail partners. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact the company's growth trajectory while working in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead a dedicated team focused on specific retail verticals, synthesizing market research, customer feedback, and sales insights into actionable go-to-market plans that drive growth.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Extend's Product Protection and Shipping Protection products, ensuring their strategic alignment with the needs of your assigned categories.
• Drive revenue growth by formulating and executing effective product strategies tailored to your portfolio of verticals, ensuring alignment with overall company goals.
• Create and implement go-to-market strategies that meet merchant needs and consumer demands, with the goal of surpassing competitors and capturing market share.
• Identify new opportunities for category expansion, including related market segments, and develop strategic approaches for entering these markets.
• Provide strategic guidance on key accounts, significant deals, and merchant growth initiatives, supporting sales teams and partners with insights and recommendations.
• Utilize AI tools to inform strategic decisions, particularly to identify opportunities for cost reduction within the claims process and improve operational efficiency.
• Influence the product roadmap by identifying potential feature enhancements based on competitive analysis, team learnings, and sales patterns, ensuring the offerings stay competitive.
• Contribute to the development of a multi-year product roadmap, integrating new features and innovations into the go-to-market playbook to ensure sustained growth.
• Continuously assess your product categories through ongoing market analysis, ensuring competitive coverage, optimal pricing, and alignment with industry trends.
• Design bespoke solutions tailored to the needs of major retail partners, fostering strong relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development, sales, marketing, and customer support to ensure alignment and successful execution of strategies.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and customer feedback to inform strategic planning and identify emerging opportunities.
• Prepare and present regular updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Support the development of sales enablement materials and training to ensure the sales team is equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively in a fast-changing environment to meet deadlines and strategic objectives.
• Stay informed about technological advancements, including AI and automation tools, to continuously improve category management processes.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in retail category management, product strategy, or similar analytical, cross-functional roles within e-commerce or fast-paced technology companies.
• Proven ability to own a product or initiative from conception through launch and ongoing management, demonstrating a track record of delivering results.
• Strong research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and present clear, actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency with AI tools and Microsoft Excel, including data modeling, financial analysis, and forecasting techniques.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional projects, coordinating efforts across teams such as product, sales, marketing, and operations.
• Experience providing day-to-day deal and pricing support while maintaining strategic oversight and roadmap responsibilities.
• A detail-oriented approach with a focus on process improvement, innovation, and operational efficiency.
• A proactive self-starter who excels in high-stakes decision-making, taking initiative to identify opportunities and solve problems independently.
• Excellent prioritization skills, capable of managing multiple projects effectively amidst changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex strategies and data insights clearly to executive teams and stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience using business intelligence tools to inform strategy, optimize performance, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with or a strong interest in using AI and agentic tools for workflow automation, process optimization, and strategic planning.
• Exposure to underwriting or actuarial concepts, including analyzing insurance risk, retail pricing strategies, and related financial modeling.
• Knowledge of the retail or e-commerce landscape, including trends, customer behaviors, and competitive dynamics.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a startup or high-growth environment, demonstrating agility and adaptability.
• Understanding of product lifecycle management and go-to-market execution in a technology-driven setting.

Skills & tools

• AI tools for strategic decision-making and operational improvements
• Microsoft Excel, including data modeling, financial analysis, and forecasting
• Business Intelligence (BI) tools (preferred) for data analysis and strategy optimization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions

Practical notes

• Extend does not offer immigration sponsorship for this position.
• Benefits include a competitive salary, full medical, dental, and vision coverage, stock options in a growing startup, generous paid time off, and a 401(k) plan with financial guidance.
• The role is based in the U.S., and candidates must be authorized to work in the country.
• The position is on-site, with the location specified as remote within the U.S., but candidates should be prepared to work in a fully on-site environment as required.
• The company encourages candidates with a proactive mindset, strategic thinking, and a passion for innovative product management to apply.