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Senior category manager vs media manager

The differences between senior category managers and media 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 senior category manager and a media manager. Additionally, a senior category manager has an average salary of $116,590, which is higher than the $96,475 average annual salary of a media manager.

The top three skills for a senior category manager include category strategy, project management and strategic sourcing. The most important skills for a media manager are digital marketing, kpis, and media planning.

Senior category manager vs media manager overview

Senior Category ManagerMedia Manager
Yearly salary$116,590$96,475
Hourly rate$56.05$46.38
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs66,599110,888
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age3939
Years of experience1010

What does a senior category manager do?

In a retail setting, a senior category manager is in charge of devising strategies to market different product categories. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather necessary data, performing market research and analysis to find new business opportunities, identifying the needs of consumers, and keeping abreast of the latest trends. Furthermore, as a senior category manager, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior category managers, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a media manager do?

Media managers oversee the department that works on the different communication needs of the company. They execute the communications strategies of the company. They are expected to be updated with the current trends on media platforms. They should also be very familiar with the company and are attuned to the company's brand and image so that they can create relevant communications campaigns. Media managers oversee content creation on different media platforms. They manage the research related to the content they are working on. They develop materials and ensure that these materials are engaging and relatable to the target audience.

Senior category manager vs media manager salary

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

Senior Category ManagerMedia Manager
Average salary$116,590$96,475
Salary rangeBetween $83,000 And $162,000Between $66,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandPennsylvania
Best paying companyDevon EnergyMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between senior category manager and media manager education

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

Senior Category ManagerMedia Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Senior category manager vs media manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior category managers' and media managers' demographics:

Senior Category ManagerMedia Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 69.6% Female, 30.4%Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%
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 senior category manager and media manager duties and responsibilities

Senior category manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage relationships, budgets and invoicing for multiple vendors, including the SEM & DR agency and strategic partners.
  • Lead a marketing team responsible for strategic planning and implementation of B2B and B2C marketing initiatives to achieve business goals.
  • Project manage large work streams incorporating data and technology to support all business analytics used across the organization.
  • Coordinate with SOX compliance team and internal & external auditors.
  • Review SOX documentation, including VISIO process flow diagrams to ensure accuracy.
  • Execute RFP process, price negotiation, business award, capacity and supply assurance.
  • Show more

Media manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage B2C media campaigns from inception to reporting.
  • Evaluate, select and manage relationships with PPC technology vendors.
  • Lead intranet and internet maintenance, content, development and marketing.
  • Execute vendor fund campaigns to achieve KPIs base on each individual brand s needs and drive ecommerce sales.
  • Utilize CRM software to maintain contacts, leads, ad sales, sales reports and advertisement run sheets.
  • Manage search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising for several B2B and health care clients.
  • Show more

Senior category manager vs media manager skills

Common senior category manager skills
  • Category Strategy, 14%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Strategic Sourcing, 8%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Internal Stakeholders, 4%
  • Supplier Management, 4%
Common media manager skills
  • Digital Marketing, 19%
  • KPIs, 5%
  • Media Planning, 4%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Google Analytics, 3%

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