Category Manager

Category Manager

Houchens Food Group

Bowling Green, KY

$13.00 – $16.90 per hour

To hire an energetic individual to develop categories within our growing retail stores, grow sales and meet category goals across diverse formats such as center store, dairy, frozen, general merchandise, health & beauty, meat, produce, deli, bakery, and more. The position manages multiple categories with varying gross profit and sales targets, requires strong interpersonal skills, and provides clear direction to assistants and stores in an ever‑changing retail environment.

• Consult on the definition of Category Strategy for assigned categories, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and financial objectives.
• Define assortment and select products for banners, channels, countries, and departments, aligning with targets.
• Identify, develop, and procure products to drive performance of assigned banners/channels/countries/departments.
• Consult on all financial and assortment planning activities; ensure plans align with strategy and buy targets.
• Sign off on plan‑ograms, display guides, flow guides, and planners before store communication.
• Select promotional products and ensure appropriate representation in promotions.
• Determine order quantities, preparing purchase order worksheets for administrative assistants.
• Maximize sales and store turns by adjusting assortment and displays to reduce dating issues.
• Conduct Weekly Business Reviews; consult on Monthly P&L Performance Reviews.
• Monitor competitor pricing to maintain store competitiveness.
• Perform store visits to review category and store needs.
• Lead, mentor, and train the Category Team; develop merchandising organization.
• Identify merchandising business and systems improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with operations teams to ensure selling plans are executed.
• Receive operations feedback and create action plans.
• Perform additional projects and duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3–6 years of experience in Grocery/Convenience Channel.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to create, analyze, interpret, and report analysis results.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a changing environment with urgency.
• High level of creativity and leadership qualities.
• Exceptional time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.

Possess excellent oral and written communication, organizational, analytical, and multitasking skills. Self‑starter with proven ability to work independently and in a team. Demonstrates flexibility, initiative, good judgment, urgency, and strong attention to detail. Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint). Manages multiple projects simultaneously and adapts to constant organizational change.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

Houchens Food Group is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or pregnancy. Applicants may request accommodations based on religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy.