Category Manager

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative Members' retail operations, trading under the Shop Rite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, Fairway®, Gourmet Garage®, Morton Williams®, and DiBruno Brothers® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative Members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

The Category Manager of Equipment role in the Indirect Procurement Division will be responsible for many of the retail equipment categories and maintenance/repair service contracts related to these categories. The individual will also be responsible for working alongside select members and customers as well as Engineering and Merchandising to order equipment for new stores and remodels of varying scale and adhere to the project timeline and budget in ordering said equipment.

They will frequently work alongside Engineering and Merchandising, attending critical meetings, staying abreast on innovation and company strategic initiatives to support the negotiation and procurement of retail equipment. Key categories this role is responsible for include fryers, weigh wrap, scales, slicers, grinders, mixers, shelving/gondolas, millwork, shopping carts, handicap carts, cart containment and purcheck. The responsibility of this desk is to drive down total cost of the cooperative’s operational expenses and ensure timely delivery of equipment as it relates to a project, adhering to stringent budget parameters.

• Maintain the prep room equipment and the applicable repairs and maintenance/service contract expense lines to ensure sustainable operational costs for membership.
• Negotiates and builds relationships with the vendor community to determine the optimal source for equipment based upon price, terms, quality, lead time and total cost of ownership.
• Demonstrate a proven ability to develop and articulate category strategies utilizing tools and techniques at hand which can include: market research, risks, competition, regulations, and innovation while ensuring continuity of supply.
• Ensuring compliance to a consistent schedule of category reviews in which baseline spend is developed, scope of work created, RFI’s/RFP’s issued and analyzed/negotiated.
• Procure, negotiate and project manage store equipment orders to ensure adherence to timeline and budget.
• Work alongside Indirect’s Contract Category Manager and Legal to develop and finalize master service agreements, term sheets or other legal agreements as it relates to a particular awarded vendor based on category needs.
• Work closely in a group setting amongst a team of analysts, expeditors and other support staff.

• Four year College degree or currently enrolled with a minimum of 60 or more college credits completed towards a Business Degree.
• Experience in supermarket retail a plus.
• Prior Oracle/iPro & SAP experience strongly desired.
• Knowledge of eRFP software system, Simfoni or like system.
• Aptitude for detail, strong analytical/excel and project management skills required.
• Need for strong business acumen and the ability to analyze and formulate conclusions to support category decisions based on key data.
• Strong presentation as well as developed oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient negotiation skills and techniques
• Strong people management skills and the ability to manage…