Activations manager vs category manager

The differences between activations managers and category managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both an activations manager and a category manager. Additionally, a category manager has an average salary of $102,035, which is higher than the $65,837 average annual salary of an activations manager.

The top three skills for an activations manager include customer service, digital marketing and project management. The most important skills for a category manager are strategic sourcing, category strategy, and supplier performance.

Activations manager vs category manager overview

	Activations Manager	Category Manager
Yearly salary	$65,837	$102,035
Hourly rate	$31.65	$49.06
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	61,704	108,424
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	10	10

What does an activations manager do?

An activations manager is responsible for managing the product management techniques to generate sales and achieve profitability goals. Activations managers conduct data and statistical analysis to evaluate the current market trends and identify public demands to develop opportunities for brand resources. They also handle campaigns across the market platforms to enhance the brand's image and reach the target audience. An activations manager supervises the product plans from conceptualization to final launch and ensures that the goals meet the quality standards and client specifications.

What does a category manager do?

Category managers are usually employed in the retail industry. They are primarily responsible for the sales enhancement of a specific group of products. The managers are involved in pricing, marketing, inventory, and vendor management. Their daily tasks include meeting with suppliers to talk about the plans, conducting orientation to the market research company, and updating category reports. Qualified applicants must have a degree in business administration or a related field as well as relevant job experience in a related job.

Activations manager vs category manager salary

Activations managers and category managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Activations Manager	Category Manager
Average salary	$65,837	$102,035
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $108,000	Between $74,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	Bridgewater, NJ	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Nevada
Best paying company	Meta	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Media	Manufacturing

Differences between activations manager and category manager education

There are a few differences between an activations manager and a category manager in terms of educational background:

	Activations Manager	Category Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Georgia	University of Georgia

Activations manager vs category manager demographics

Here are the differences between activations managers' and category managers' demographics:

	Activations Manager	Category Manager
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9%	Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between activations manager and category manager duties and responsibilities

Activations manager example responsibilities.

Manage activities calendar and campaign results reporting findings to upper executives and salesforce.
Include all contract negotiation, budget management, ROI tracking, social media strategies, digital content, and activation planning.
Perform administrative and management duties such as reports, presentations, scheduling, budget management, KPI tracking forms, etc.
Complete general kennel operations, pet health checks, assist supervisors with daily tasks.
Develop strategic, creative and effective ideas to top sponsors leveraging their relationship to create a positive ROI.
Create and maintain appealing and exciting Facebook and Instagram page, activations and products are promoted through social media.

Category manager example responsibilities.

Lead team to manage predominantly seasonal fashion apparel by reacting to trends with appropriate buys and proactive exit strategies.
Manage and create purchase plans and OTB's.
Design and manage all BTL plans for the brands.
Manage multiple sources of data to mine for business voids and opportunities at both macro and micro levels.
Deliver profit and sales forecasts, manage merchandising budget, and used IRI data to produce optimal product mix.
Lead a high performance jewelry merchandising team in a digital commerce environment through television, e-commerce, and social media.

Activations manager vs category manager skills

Common activations manager skills

Customer Service, 12%
Digital Marketing, 11%
Project Management, 8%
Brand Activation, 8%
PowerPoint, 5%
POS, 5%

Common category manager skills

Strategic Sourcing, 8%
Category Strategy, 8%
Supplier Performance, 5%
Supplier Relationships, 4%
Customer Service, 4%
Cost Savings, 4%

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Activations Manager
Activations Manager vs Category Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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