Sr. Category Manager, Emerging Solutions

At CDW, we make it happen, together. Trust, connection, and commitment are at the heart of how we work together to deliver for our customers. It’s why we’re coworkers, not just employees. Coworkers who genuinely believe in supporting our customers and one another. We collectively forge our path forward with a level of commitment that speaks to who we are and where we’re headed. We’re proud to share our story and Make Amazing Happen at CDW.

Job summary

The Senior Manager, Emerging Solutions, plays a pivotal role in advancing strategic initiatives within Product & Partner Management. This position is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities, fostering high-impact partnerships, and driving the successful onboarding of innovative technologies. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to evaluate market trends, assess partner capabilities, and align solutions with organizational goals. The Senior Manager will lead efforts to cultivate long-term relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring seamless integration of emerging solutions into the product ecosystem while supporting growth, innovation, and competitive differentiation in a dynamic business environment.

What you’ll do

• Responsible for $1.5B or more in revenue
• Own and maximize PCM – Partner Controllable Margin for assigned categories - responsible for over $200M in PCM
• Manages, directs, and leads multiple top 10 partners in impact to the business
• Attends executive meetings and special projects as requested by Sr. Leadership
• Provide direction to Category Managers and partner with them to properly onboard them
• Establish pricing strategies, monitors competitive activity, oversees product information, and identifies customer needs
• Responsible for the creation of customer offers
• Own the customer experience on cdw(g).com for responsible product categories and partners
• Oversee the development of marketing plans for their solution services & product portfolio
• Responsible for maximizing revenue, profit, and vendor co-op for specific product category(s) through strategic planning and marketing
• Lead, manage, and interface with partners to develop or enhance the marketing of product(s) or services(s)
• Lead and direct merchandising activities
• Oversee and direct plays and programs on the Portfolio Management team within Marketing
• Assess and understand competitive landscape and adjust strategies as needed
• Lead a team that manages SKUs per services & product categories
• Identify emerging technologies and industry trends within the category and adjust the plan accordingly
• Lead, performance manage, and develop coworkers, building a strong talent pool that allows for succession planning
• Act as an escalation point and liaison between the vendor and CDW
• Lead and engage with Purchasing to help forecast sales, assist with promotional buy in opportunities with partners and communicate shifts in market pricing to help with buying decisions
• Lead PPM Manager communication meetings monthly
• Communicate best practices across PPM
• Approve content for respective manufacturer ads as needed
• Create, maintain, and execute an annual business plan
• Lead efforts to increase customer and account manager penetration for their category(s).
• 30% travel
• Lead cross departmental collaboration directly aligned to driving our corporate strategies
• Engage with brand teams to develop services plans aligned to Mission Forward
• Partner with compliance, contracts, and legal key stakeholders to adhere to our corporate compliance guidelines and best practices

What we expect of you

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Information Technology, Marketing, or related field
• 6 years of product management, marketing, supply chain, sales, or finance experience
• 3 years of team management experience

Preferred skills, experience, and qualities needed

• Proven track record in services product management/marketing a product line(s)
• Strong cross-functional team skills
• Strong strategic and executional leader
• History of balancing competing priorities with the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the business while meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated financial and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels
• History of building and maintaining productive working relationships
• Strong conflict resolution skills with the ability to be persuasive and hold partners and coworkers accountable
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Demonstrated ability to master a product