Joe Carlson

About Joe Carlson

Results-driven Category Manager experienced in leading supplier selection, product assortment, and category strategy to drive sales growth and profitability. Skilled in developing and executing category plans, negotiating supplier programs, and optimizing product performance to align with organizational objectives.Strong background in managing key vendor relationships, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance assortment, pricing, and brand positioning. Adept at cross-functional collaboration with marketing, operations, finance, and sales to deliver impactful go-to-market strategies.Known for analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and exceptional communication skills that foster strong partnerships.

Experience

1. Category Manager

   ORS Nasco

   Nov 2025 — Present

   Responsible for supplier selection, product assortment, implementation of strategies and tactics, and growing sales while increasing profitability. • Forge strong working relationships with key vendors while maximizing supplier negotiations.• Own and develop Category Plans for Strategic Categories while aligning closely with Leadership.• Responsible for the development and creation of holistic category and product strategies. • Develop a complete range of tactics and initiatives in driving business growth and profitability. • Accountable for gross margin / return on investment for assigned category.• Maximize assortment breadth and depth through selection of suppliers and products. • Responsible for supporting comprehensive marketing plans and initiatives designed to achieve product category goals including promotions, incentives, PR, education and training, trade shows and catalogs.• Evaluate alternative and potential categories, products and suppliers based on programs, pricing, market trends, product offering, quality and capacity including discounts, rebates and advertising funds provided.• Negotiate and control all product costs. • Negotiate all aspects of supplier programs, promotions, payment, freight terms and return policies.• Responsible to monitor and communicate supplier performance.• Support the strategy, growth and development of private brands within assigned category.

Education

• Indiana State University

  Bachelor of Science, Operations and Supply Chain Management

  2011 — 2014

• Ivy Tech Community College

  Associate of Science, Business Administration

Skills

• Report Writing
• Teamwork
• Excel
• Logistics Management
• Green Belt
• Cpr Certified
• Spss
• Security
• Supervisory Skills
• Strategic Planning
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Social Media
• Business Strategy
• Business Process Improvement
• Arena Simulation Software
• Management
• Word
• Data Entry
• Statistical Data Analysis
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Forecasting
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Control
• Policy
• Economics
• Outlook
• Business Development
• Risk Assessment
• Relationship Management
• Data Mining
• Microsoft Office
• Data Analysis
• Six Sigma
• Leadership
• Logistics
• Documentation
• Statistics
• Critical Thinking