Category Manager - Tobacco​/Cigarettes

A leading retailer is seeking an experienced Category Manager – Tobacco & Cigarettes to oversee one of the company's highest-volume and most strategic merchandise categories. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that maximize sales, margin, market share, and customer satisfaction across a large multi-state retail footprint.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in category management within convenience retail, grocery, or consumer packaged goods (CPG), along with a deep understanding of the tobacco industry, manufacturer partnerships, pricing strategy, promotional planning, and regulatory compliance.

This position works closely with merchandising, operations, marketing, supply chain, finance, and vendor partners to optimize category performance and identify new opportunities for growth.

• Develop and execute category strategies for cigarettes, tobacco, nicotine, and related products that drive profitable sales growth.
• Manage the overall financial performance of the tobacco category, including sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and category profitability.
• Analyze POS data, customer insights, market trends, and competitive pricing to make informed merchandising decisions.
• Build annual business plans, promotional calendars, pricing strategies, and assortment plans.
• Negotiate with manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers regarding cost, promotional funding, rebates, new item introductions, and merchandising support.
• Manage product assortment, SKU rationalization, planograms, and product placement to maximize sales and customer experience.
• Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with supply chain partners to improve product availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Partner with operations teams to ensure successful execution of merchandising initiatives and promotional programs across all store locations.
• Evaluate new products, emerging tobacco and nicotine trends, and consumer purchasing behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Ensure all category decisions comply with federal, state, and local tobacco regulations, age verification requirements, and company policies.
• Prepare and present category performance reports, business reviews, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop strong relationships with key manufacturer representatives and vendor partners to maximize category support and joint business planning.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve category performance through pricing optimization, promotional effectiveness, assortment enhancements, and operational efficiencies.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of Category Management, Merchandising, Buying, or Product Management experience.
• Experience managing tobacco, cigarettes, nicotine, or other highly regulated retail categories strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales trends, financial data, and customer purchasing behavior.
• Experience negotiating vendor agreements, promotional funding, and pricing programs.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
• Experience utilizing category management software, retail reporting tools, or business intelligence platforms.
• Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced retail environment.

• Category Management
• Merchandising Strategy
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotional Planning
• Planogram Development
• Product Assortment Optimization
• Market & Competitive Analysis
• Gross Margin Management
• Inventory Management
• Consumer Insights
• Forecasting & Demand Planning
• Business Planning
• Retail Analytics
• Regulatory Compliance
• Cross-Functional Leadership

The ideal candidate is a strategic and data-driven merchandising professional who understands the unique dynamics of the tobacco category and has a proven ability to grow sales while maximizing profitability. They are comfortable negotiating with major suppliers, analyzing complex retail data, collaborating across departments, and driving category initiatives from strategy through execution.

This individual thrives in a fast-paced retail environment, builds strong vendor partnerships, and consistently identifies opportunities to improve assortment, pricing, promotions, and overall category performance.