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Global brand manager vs category manager

The differences between global brand 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 a global brand manager and a category manager. Additionally, a global brand manager has an average salary of $114,380, which is higher than the $102,035 average annual salary of a category manager.

The top three skills for a global brand manager include brand management, market research and project management. The most important skills for a category manager are strategic sourcing, category strategy, and supplier performance.

Global brand manager vs category manager overview

Global Brand ManagerCategory Manager
Yearly salary$114,380$102,035
Hourly rate$54.99$49.06
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs96,013108,424
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3939
Years of experience1010

What does a global brand manager do?

Global brand managers are professionals who are responsible for managing and implementing marketing activities of an organization's products and services to ensure maximum sales in the international market. These managers must align their development and marketing strategy by conducting meetings with product teams and other key stakeholders. They are required to provide creative direction and leadership so that they can maximize brand equity. Global brand managers must also coordinate international market research activities to track competitors and create business strategies.

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.

Global brand manager vs category manager salary

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

Global Brand ManagerCategory Manager
Average salary$114,380$102,035
Salary rangeBetween $86,000 And $151,000Between $74,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CityPawtucket, RISan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNevada
Best paying companyMetaMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between global brand manager and category manager education

There are a few differences between a global brand manager and a category manager in terms of educational background:

Global Brand ManagerCategory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorMarketingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Global brand manager vs category manager demographics

Here are the differences between global brand managers' and category managers' demographics:

Global Brand ManagerCategory Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 44.6% Female, 55.4%Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between global brand manager and category manager duties and responsibilities

Global brand manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage execution of digital strategies including website development, SEO, PPC, and social media.
  • Develop and manage new health brand strategy including creation of healthcare professional/dietitian program.
  • Increase social traffic and conversion KPIs with target SEO strategies.
  • Alleviate marketing team editing time by training internal sales assistants on PowerPoint slide design and company branding standards.
  • Provide ROI analysis to support recommendations.
  • Develop unique marketing programs that maximize return-on-investment (ROI) and raise brand awareness.
  • Show more

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.
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Global brand manager vs category manager skills

Common global brand manager skills
  • Brand Management, 8%
  • Market Research, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Global Brand Strategy, 5%
  • Brand Marketing, 5%
  • Brand Positioning, 4%
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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