Director of Sales (equivalent to a Director or Vice President of Category Management) oversees the strategic direction, growth, and profitability of specific product categories. This role is highly analytical and requires a blend of market insight, data analysis, and strong collaboration with other departments to optimize product assortment, cost of goods, promotions, and overall category performance.
Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.
Summary
Director of Sales (equivalent to a Director or Vice President of Category Management) oversees the strategic direction, growth, and profitability of specific product categories. This role is highly analytical and requires a blend of market insight, data analysis, and strong collaboration with other departments to optimize product assortment, cost of goods, promotions, and overall category performance.
Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.
This is a direct hire authority announcement. All qualified applicants are considered and Veterans' preference does not apply. Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
Develop and implement category management strategies that align with the company's business objectives, market trends, and consumer demand.
Define goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for each category, ensuring alignment with overall company goals.
Work closely with cross-functional teams (merchandising, marketing, supply chain, finance) to achieve optimal category performance.
Assortment and Product Selection:
Oversee product assortment, focusing on SKU rationalization and product innovation to meet customer preferences and market trends.
Ensure a balanced assortment by analyzing product performance, customer preferences, and competitive positioning.
Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to bring in relevant products and negotiate favorable terms and conditions.
Cost of Goods and Promotions:
Develop cost of goods strategies that support profitability while staying competitive in the market.
Work with marketing teams to create effective promotional plans, including seasonal events, discounting, and product bundling.
Monitor price elasticity and customer response to adjust pricing and promotional strategies as needed.
Sales and Margin Optimization:
Analyze sales trends, gross margins, and profit contributions for each category, making data-driven decisions to optimize performance.
Identify and implement initiatives to improve category profitability, such as adjusting the product mix, refining pricing models, or enhancing vendor collaboration.
Implement category scorecards and regular performance reviews to ensure financial targets are met.
Vendor and Supplier Relationships: *
Negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers, including cost, delivery, payment terms, and exclusive offerings.
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure product availability, quality, and compliance.
Work with vendors on co-marketing and promotional opportunities to drive mutual business growth.
Data Analysis and Insights:
Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify trends, consumer behavior changes, and potential growth areas.
Leverage data analytics to monitor category performance, customer insights, and potential risks.
Use data to support decisions on assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.
Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration:
Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations to ensure cohesive execution of category strategies.
Work with finance to develop accurate category financial projections, budgeting, and P&L management.
Lead and develop category management team members, fostering a collaborative and goal-oriented environment.
Customer Experience and Brand Alignment:
Ensure category strategies align with the company's brand promise and enhance the customer shopping experience.
Monitor customer satisfaction with categories and implement improvements based on feedback.
Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position. This critical information is found under:
Duties and Qualifications
How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
How You Will be Evaluated
Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We do not assume you have the necessary experience to successfully perform in this job regardless of your employment history or academic career.
Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required.
Meet the minimum age requirement. See Additional Information.
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
Meet the physical requirements identified in the Qualifications section.
May be subject to a supervisory probationary period.
Qualifications
You must meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualifications for series 1101 and additional requirements by the announcement closing date. Your resume must clearly show that you have one (1) year of experience overseeing sales and category management within a retail chain; working multiple category management initiatives; as well as developing and integrating category management programs equivalent to at least GS-14. Experience can be under other Federal service pay systems, private sector, or military.
Category Sales Management
Minimum Qualifications GS-15
Oral and Written Communication
Strategic Planning
Permanent Change in Station (PCS) Expenses Authorized: Yes Relocation Incentives Offered: No
Recruitment Incentives Offered: No
Retention Incentives Offered: No Overtime: Occasional Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered Obligated Position: Yes. This position is obligated to a DoD employee that has mandatory return rights after service in an overseas or non-foreign area. If the employee elects to exercise return rights, you may be removed from this position or placed into another position. Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Telework eligible:Yes Remote work eligible: No
Education
You may not use education to qualify for this position.
Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service.
Positions will be filled under the DoD Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for business transformation and management innovation.
Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.
The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.
Submitting an incomplete application package, such as missing documents, illegible documents, and/or missing information necessary to determine qualifications and eligibility. A resume reflecting part-time (PT)/full-time (FT) or nothing rather than the number of hours worked per week (e.g., 40, 30, 20, etc.) may be considered incomplete.
Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses.
Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
HR reviews your documents to determine if you are qualified and meet requirements and competencies. Your questionnaire score is a preliminary measure of how well your background matches the competencies. If you submit multiple resumes, the last one received is used for this evaluation and sent to the hiring manager if you are referred for selection consideration.
HR refers qualified applicants to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Selections are subject to restrictions of the DoD referral system for displaced employees.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program(ICTAP): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications. See the Required Documents section of this announcement for more information.
Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume. Learn more about creating a suitable resume by watching this video or reading What to include. Using the USAJOBS Resume Builder will help you submit a complete resume. Applying for a Federal job requires more information than applying for a job in the private sector. Therefore, a resume is typically longer than two (2) pages and usually does not need to be more than five (5) pages.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain:
Your name, address, phone, email address.
Job Title. Series and grade (Federal Positions only).
For each position held including employment beginning and ending dates (Month/Year).
Your resume should reflect a description of duties performed and that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours per week listed, Full Time or 40 hours per week as your work schedule.
If selected, you must provide official transcripts before receiving a firm job offer. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. Current and former federal employees submit a copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied. To obtain a copy of your SF 50, all current Department of Defense (DoD) employees can access MyBiz, employees receiving HR servicing from DLA can access eOPF and former civilian employees can request a copy from the National Archives.
ICTAP eligibility.Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and (2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Military Spouse PreferenceSubmit (1) Marriage certificate and (2) a copy of your spouse's active Military Orders and (3) DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if Applicable) and (4) DD1300 - Report of Casualty (If applicable).
Future military retirees and/or Future military separatees: must include a copy of their terminal leave request, if applicable, AND a copy of retirement DD214 [if available]. If DD214 not available, submit a certification document* or a copy of your retirement letter.
*A written document from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certificate is signed. The certification must be on letterhead signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, unit commander or higher headquarters and include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge, character of service, and, if applicable, the date your terminal leave begins. This document is sometimes called a Statement of Service.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 11/19/2024.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
DECA HQ
1300 Eisenhower Street
Fort Gregg-Adams, VA 23801
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice after the hiring manager makes a selection.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume. Learn more about creating a suitable resume by watching this video or reading What to include. Using the USAJOBS Resume Builder will help you submit a complete resume. Applying for a Federal job requires more information than applying for a job in the private sector. Therefore, a resume is typically longer than two (2) pages and usually does not need to be more than five (5) pages.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain:
Your name, address, phone, email address.
Job Title. Series and grade (Federal Positions only).
For each position held including employment beginning and ending dates (Month/Year).
Your resume should reflect a description of duties performed and that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours per week listed, Full Time or 40 hours per week as your work schedule.
If selected, you must provide official transcripts before receiving a firm job offer. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. Current and former federal employees submit a copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied. To obtain a copy of your SF 50, all current Department of Defense (DoD) employees can access MyBiz, employees receiving HR servicing from DLA can access eOPF and former civilian employees can request a copy from the National Archives.
ICTAP eligibility.Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and (2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.
Military Spouse PreferenceSubmit (1) Marriage certificate and (2) a copy of your spouse's active Military Orders and (3) DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if Applicable) and (4) DD1300 - Report of Casualty (If applicable).
Future military retirees and/or Future military separatees: must include a copy of their terminal leave request, if applicable, AND a copy of retirement DD214 [if available]. If DD214 not available, submit a certification document* or a copy of your retirement letter.
*A written document from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certificate is signed. The certification must be on letterhead signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, unit commander or higher headquarters and include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge, character of service, and, if applicable, the date your terminal leave begins. This document is sometimes called a Statement of Service.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 11/19/2024.
You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.
To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.
You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.
DECA HQ
1300 Eisenhower Street
Fort Gregg-Adams, VA 23801
US
Next steps
Notices post to your USAJOBS account and are emailed to you. You can expect to receive a notice when you complete the application process, when your qualifications status is determined (qualified or not qualified), and when your referral status is determined (referred or not). If you are referred but not selected, you can expect to receive a final notice after the hiring manager makes a selection.
The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews and may conduct telephone interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Someone from the hiring agency (i.e., DeCA) will contact you if the hiring manager decides to interview you.
Should you receive a tentative job offer, be aware such offers are automatically withdrawn if you fail to (1) record an acceptance or declination by the response date provided in the offer notice and/or (2) meet any pre-employment requirements, including a scheduled appointment. If you receive a job offer, use a computer to submit your response rather than a mobile/cell phone.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
