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Social media content manager vs category manager

The differences between social media content 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 social media content manager and a category manager. Additionally, a category manager has an average salary of $102,035, which is higher than the $54,354 average annual salary of a social media content manager.

The top three skills for a social media content manager include social media marketing, digital marketing and instagram. The most important skills for a category manager are strategic sourcing, category strategy, and supplier performance.

Social media content manager vs category manager overview

Social Media Content ManagerCategory Manager
Yearly salary$54,354$102,035
Hourly rate$26.13$49.06
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs69,077108,424
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3939
Years of experience1010

What does a social media content manager do?

A social media content manager oversees a company or individual's social media platforms, aiming to enhance its online presence and raise brand awareness. They typically manage a group of content specialists and graphic designers, and together they conceptualize plans and campaigns that align with the brand's purpose and vision. It is also their responsibility to establish guidelines and timelines, monitor every online campaign, research opportunities and trends, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a manager, they must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while enforcing 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.

Social media content manager vs category manager salary

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

Social Media Content ManagerCategory Manager
Average salary$54,354$102,035
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $92,000Between $74,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between social media content manager and category manager education

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

Social Media Content ManagerCategory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorCommunicationBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Social media content manager vs category manager demographics

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

Social Media Content ManagerCategory Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 39.1% Female, 60.9%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 social media content manager and category manager duties and responsibilities

Social media content manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media campaigns that increase ROI, build brand advocates.
  • Achieve a following of over 10k on official Instagram profile within 3 months of management3.
  • Manage and build online social platforms (SoundCloud, YouTube, Spotify, etc . )
  • Perform administrative duties including ordering photography supplies, managing expenses bookkeeping, updating photography inventory and archives.
  • Content includes videos and photos on company s website, twitter, facebook, and instagram account.
  • Film and edit YouTube videos.
  • 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

Social media content manager vs category manager skills

Common social media content manager skills
  • Social Media Marketing, 10%
  • Digital Marketing, 7%
  • Instagram, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
  • Twitter, 4%
  • Content Strategy, 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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