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Manager of online communications vs category manager

The differences between managers of online communications 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 manager of online communications and a category manager. Additionally, a category manager has an average salary of $102,035, which is higher than the $69,242 average annual salary of a manager of online communications.

The top three skills for a manager of online communications include engagement strategies, customer engagement and HTML. The most important skills for a category manager are strategic sourcing, category strategy, and supplier performance.

Manager of online communications vs category manager overview

Manager Of Online CommunicationsCategory Manager
Yearly salary$69,242$102,035
Hourly rate$33.29$49.06
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs73,210108,424
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3939
Years of experience1010

What does a manager of online communications do?

A manager of online communications oversees a company's digital activities, aiming to raise brand awareness and public interest. They typically work together with marketing and sales teams in creating online strategies and campaigns for product launches and sales. A manager of online communications' responsibilities includes performing market research and analysis, developing online materials, coordinating with content specialists and graphic designers, and monitoring the daily operations, resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, they must lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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.

Manager of online communications vs category manager salary

Managers of online communications and category managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Manager Of Online CommunicationsCategory Manager
Average salary$69,242$102,035
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $106,000Between $74,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNevada
Best paying companyMerrimack CollegeMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryProfessionalManufacturing

Differences between manager of online communications and category manager education

There are a few differences between a manager of online communications and a category manager in terms of educational background:

Manager Of Online CommunicationsCategory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Manager of online communications vs category manager demographics

Here are the differences between managers of online communications' and category managers' demographics:

Manager Of Online CommunicationsCategory Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 49.2% Female, 50.8%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 manager of online communications and category manager duties and responsibilities

Manager of online communications example responsibilities.

  • Perform administrative duties including ordering photography supplies, managing expenses bookkeeping, updating photography inventory and archives.
  • Create and test Pinterest and Instagram accounts.
  • Develop front end screens using JSP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
  • Upload daily videos to YouTube with a focus on optimization.
  • Provide digital strategy techniques to boost his Facebook page from 20k to 200k+.
  • Utilize web analytics tools to create customize reports outlining KPI, metrics, and trends.
  • 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.
  • Show more

Manager of online communications vs category manager skills

Common manager of online communications skills
  • Engagement Strategies, 7%
  • Customer Engagement, 6%
  • HTML, 6%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Instagram, 5%
  • Community Management, 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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