Section manager vs category manager

The differences between section managers and category managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a section manager, becoming a category manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a category manager has an average salary of $102,035, which is higher than the $95,857 average annual salary of a section manager.

The top three skills for a section manager include career development, project management and DOD. The most important skills for a category manager are strategic sourcing, category strategy, and supplier performance.

Section manager vs category manager overview

	Section Manager	Category Manager
Yearly salary	$95,857	$102,035
Hourly rate	$46.09	$49.06
Growth rate	6%	10%
Number of jobs	293,821	108,424
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	44	39
Years of experience	6	10

What does a section manager do?

A section manager is responsible for supervising the overall production processes and operations of an organization. Section managers ensure that their designated sections run accurately and efficiently while following the highest standard protocols and internal regulations. They also identify opportunities to maximize the staff's productivity and perform quality control procedures that would enhance the current processes and fix any inconsistencies. A section manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to assist the staff and the business in achieving customer satisfaction.

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.

Section manager vs category manager salary

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

	Section Manager	Category Manager
Average salary	$95,857	$102,035
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $145,000	Between $74,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Nevada
Best paying company	NVIDIA	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between section manager and category manager education

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

	Section Manager	Category Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Georgia

Section manager vs category manager demographics

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

	Section Manager	Category Manager
Average age	44	39
Gender ratio	Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9%	Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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 section manager and category manager duties and responsibilities

Section manager example responsibilities.

Implement ISO quality procedures and lead internal audits
Coordinate and manage the security operations of combat convoys moving and transporting equipment to different locations across hostile areas.
Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
Perform contract negotiations, vendor selection, product introduction, ISO quality adherence, cost reductions, and inventory balancing.
Perform ongoing research and analysis of internal business requirements and project logistics.
Plan and request signal logistics support for battalion level operations and maintenance.

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

Section manager vs category manager skills

Common section manager skills

Career Development, 9%
Project Management, 9%
DOD, 6%
Performance Reviews, 6%
Continuous Improvement, 5%
RF, 4%

Common category manager skills

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

Section Manager vs. similar jobs

Section Manager related careers

Section Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z