Associate Category Manager, Laredo Taco & Roost

Job Summary

Assist Category Manager in the strategic development of the category sales plan that is consistent with the overall Merchandise strategy, promote and verify execution of category strategy at the store, take ownership of one or several small categories and ensure that the category fits into the total store perspective. This position presents a great opportunity to be on the team that is leading the fast‑paced growth of our restaurant concepts (Pizza/Deli and Roost Fried Chicken).

The individual needs to be passionate about food, self‑starter that is comfortable working in both the kitchen and corporate office environment.

• Sales & Planning.
• Assist the Senior Category Manager to develop, manage and communicate sales plans for overall category sales plans.
• Complete entry for national sales planning tool, including de‑averaged costs/retail, and new/expanded items/offers.
• Ensure marketing and POP are developed for categories for monthly sales plan; proof monthly solicitation for accuracy, make recommendations as necessary to support development of regional POP item forecasts.
• Support Product Director and Senior Category Manager on day‑to‑day activities that include Strategic Pricing team as well as supporting Senior Category Manager in the preparation for and engagement in vendor meetings related to product assortment architecture and cost of goods negotiations.
• Assist the Senior CM in developing and executing strategic merchandising initiatives such as roles and intents of categories and segmentation. Support the Senior CM developing and executing vendor and product specific strategies. Vendor / Supplier Relationships & Supply Chain Management.
• Assist Senior CM in managing vendor relationships as requested. Collaborate with Logistics and Senior Category Manager to ensure stable supply within the demand chain including close collaboration with Logistics team/partners. Additionally, assist Senior Category Manager with product quality attributes and ensuring products are delivering on quality/value needs of customers.
• Monitor, execute and verify category offers, costs, bill‑backs, allowances, terms, co‑op media and other related opportunities; coordinate / communicate with Senior Category Manager.
• Ensure proper information provided for suppliers including product costs, bill‑back, allowances, discounts, LDUÆs, routing information, new item set up details and new vendor set up details.
• Assist Senior CM with forecasting activities including historic sales, store returns, seasonality and cannibalization for all categories as requested by the Senior CM, coordinating with the Merchandiser and Category Specialist. Assortment / Display management (including POP / Customer messaging).
• Lead national schematics under guidance of the Senior CM. Coordinate with Merchandiser to ensure regional sets are developed and in line with the national strategy. Review strategy and decisions with the Senior CM before implementation.
• Track all key sales metrics (sales/group/unit/margin) for categories as requested by the Senior CM. Analyze and share insights with Senor Category Manager, Product Director, Zone Leader and other Operations leadership to driving improved results and enhance understanding of the business.
• Evaluate SSI and NRIs for further testing or expansion to ensure the optimal recommended assortment. Review recommendations with Senior CM for implementation.
• Assist Senior CM in optimizing Gross Profit dollars. Conduct ongoing financial analysis of national sets by evaluating product SKU productivity.
• Develop and oversee in‑store testing of potential new products, concepts and promotional activity. Optimize display management opportunities within assigned category and assigned zones.
• Support testing activity including preparation/delivering communication materials, tracking of results/feedback to Test areas/stores, verification in stores/Franchise feedback.
• Assist integration of roles and intents and segmentation into assortment decisions at the national and regional level. Work with vendors to introduce/expand new/existing items based on store and customer segments while retracting…