Category Manager - Private Label Packaged Food

Overview

Category Manager - Private Label Packaged Food –

Location:

Pearland, TX (In Office)

Pay Range: $130,000 – $500,000+ total compensation (capability-based). Compensation Philosophy: $130k–$200k:
Proven category manager, strong executor; $200k–$300k:
High‑performing category owner, trusted decision‑maker; $400k–$500k+:
Rare contributor who consistently drives outsized financial impact.

Buc‑ee’s is hiring a Category Manager, Private Label Packaged Food, to own and grow Buc‑ee’s private label packaged food categories. This role sits at the intersection of category strategy, analytics, pricing, merchandising, supplier relationships, and commercialization for private label packaged food categories. The role involves owning category outcomes and driving decisions that materially impact revenue, margin, product quality, customer experience, and brand standards.

• Serve as the product owner and subject matter expert for assigned private label packaged food categories, with accountability for product lifecycle management, product quality, brand standards, and ongoing performance.
• Create and develop long‑term plans and ongoing strategies for private label packaged food categories.
• Own category performance: sales, margin, pricing, assortment, product development, brand standards, and execution.
• Build long‑term private label category strategy and annual operating plans.
• Lead pricing strategy, competitive positioning, assortment planning, and private label portfolio optimization.
• Identify and close category opportunity gaps across assortment, pricing, product development, and portfolio performance.
• Facilitate product evaluation and approval processes, including competitive and category reviews, supplier submissions, taste testing, focus group sessions, packaging reviews, and product approvals.
• Lead SKU rationalization and promotion strategy.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships and negotiations that support private label product development, product specifications, packaging requirements, and commercialization expectations.
• Hold suppliers accountable to product specifications, quality standards, cost expectations, packaging requirements, timeline commitments, supply expectations, and execution standards.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives with merchandising, operations, IT, Quality Assurance, Legal, Graphic Design, suppliers, and distributors to support private label product launch readiness, in‑store execution, and post‑launch performance.
• Project management, including developing project plans, processes, timelines, and launch milestones for private label packaged food initiatives.
• Translate data into clear operational decisions.
• Conduct field visits to improve store‑level execution.
• Build executive‑level reporting and decision support.

This role is for high‑judgment operators who:

• Are comfortable owning decisions, not just analysis.
• Think strategically about category growth and profitability.
• Communicate insights to executives without noise.
• Care about results more than titles.

Relevant experience in packaged food categories, private label, and product development is strongly preferred. Category experience is valuable, but high capability operators who learn quickly can succeed here.

• Advanced Excel skills (non‑negotiable).
• Strong experience working with large retail or operational datasets.
• Experience building pricing, assortment, or category strategy.
• Data visualization experience (Tableau, Micro Strategy, or similar).
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities.

• Experience in packaged food categories, private label, product development, or related consumable product categories.
• Strong understanding of private label food product development, including commercialization, packaging, supplier engagement, product lifecycle management, and project execution.
• Strong judgment in assessing product quality, sensory attributes, customer appeal, value, packaging, brand fit, and category relevance.
• Ability to translate customer insights, category performance, sales trends, competitive analysis, supplier capabilities, and financial objectives into actionable private label priorities.
• Practical understanding of food safety, quality standards, product specifications, packaging and labeling requirements, demand planning, and compliant commercialization.

BA/BS + 2–4 years relevant experience or Master’s degree + 1–2 years relevant experience. We value capability and judgment over pedigree.

• 25 days PTO (use it, cash it, or roll it).
• Medical, Dental, Vision.
• 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%.
• Long‑term growth and advancement opportunities.

Buc‑ee's, Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.