Category Manager; In Office

Position: Category Manager (In Office)
Do you enjoy using data to uncover trends, shape product assortments, and create merchandising strategies that drive sales? Join Boise Co-op as a Category Manager and take ownership of assigned product categories by blending analytics, product strategy, vendor partnerships, and visual merchandising. In this role, you'll analyze category performance, guide assortment and placement decisions, collaborate across departments, and develop insight-driven merchandising strategies that strengthen Boise Co-op's competitive position while supporting sales, margin, and profitability goals.

WHAT YOU'LL DOAnalyze sales, margin, inventory, and customer purchasing trends to identify opportunities for category growth and improved financial performance.

Conduct category reviews and use data to make informed assortment, merchandising, pricing, and product placement recommendations.

Continuously monitor product performance, inventory levels, and merchandising effectiveness to optimize category results.

Develop merchandising strategies, including planograms, seasonal displays, and cross-merchandising opportunities that create an engaging customer experience and maximize sales.

Create visually compelling product presentations that communicate product features, benefits, and strong storytelling while supporting category objectives.

Discover, evaluate, and introduce new products and emerging brands that align with Boise Co-op's values and customer preferences.

Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships to support product performance, collaboration, and category growth.

Ensure accurate brand representation and strategic product placement, with an emphasis on supporting local vendors whenever appropriate.

Stay current on consumer trends, industry innovations, and competitive activity to guide category decisions.

Collaborate with merchandising, operations, marketing, and department teams to ensure successful execution of category strategies and initiatives.

Manage multiple category projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and balancing changing business priorities.

WHAT YOU BRINGStrong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into business decisions.

Experience using sales, inventory, margin, and purchasing data to improve category performance.

Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives and execute independently.

Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with vendors and cross-functional teams.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, conditional formatting, and other analytical functions.

Experience working with inventory management, pricing, costing, ERP, or product management systems preferred.

Experience creating, maintaining, or implementing planograms using assortment or space planning software (such as Spaceman or Blue Yonder) preferred.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Reliability and accountability, including strong attendance and punctuality.

Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and varied schedules as business needs require.

Commitment to supporting Boise Co-op's values and delivering an exceptional customer and employee experience.

EXPERIENCE Three or more years of experience in category management, buying, product line management, merchandising strategy, or a closely related retail merchandising role required.

Demonstrated experience using data to drive merchandising, assortment, inventory, or pricing decisions required.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite required.

Experience with planogram or assortment software preferred.

Must be at least 18 years old to support all category duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS This role requires the ability to work in both office and retail environments with prolonged sitting or standing and frequent bending, reaching, and lifting up to 50 lbs. You must be able to use office equipment requiring repetitive hand movements and communicate clearly with team members, vendors, and store staff.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in both an administrative office and a grocery retail setting, with frequent collaboration, public contact, and interruptions. The role requires balancing independent analysis with in-store execution, supporting a dynamic, customer-focused environment.

It is the policy of Boise Co-Op…