Category Manager; Deli & Prepared Foods

Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for developing category plans and strategies that deliver on category sales and margin goals. This candidate will establish pricing, sourcing, and merchandising standards for a wide portfolio of products that meet the objectives of the company. The Category Manager position should have prior buying and/or category management experience. They will focus on developing insights, identifying opportunities, and communicating recommendations on assigned categories to lead future growth.

The individual in this role will manage assigned business units (categories) with the objective to meet or exceed corporate financial objectives for top line sales, total profit dollars, market share, TIL, and inventory management.

The Category Manager achieves these objectives through the execution of pricing strategies, product/assortment selection, effective go-to-market strategies, Own Brand product development, assortment optimization, promotional planning, and shelf placement strategies as well as the development and implementation of innovative merchandising strategies.

This role requires 5 days in office for up to 6 months to learn the role and then will be able to shift to 4 days a week in office and 1 day remote. This role is located in St Louis, Missouri.

• Creates and implements pricing, product assortment and shelf plans for each assigned category based on detailed analysis of past performance, results, industry best practices and consumer trends;
  Develops go to market recommendations and strategies for assigned categories and cross promotions with other categories;
  Manages promotional and plans for assigned categories and vendors;
  Manages vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding;
  Works directly with vendors to negotiate programing, costing, and supplier funding
• Creates long term strategic plans regarding category and company growth based on category roles;
  Develops, creates, and recommends alternative solutions for profitable sales growth;
  Incorporates customer data to effectively plan assortment and product mix improvements;
  Creates and communicates clear, impactful selling stories to all levels within the organization using data compiled from various internal and external sources
• Works with sales team/field merchandiser teammates to ensure impactful and timely placement of promotional products in retail locations
• Negotiates and collaborates with suppliers for pricing, product assortment, promotion, print ads, services, loyalty, digital marketing, promotional calendars, and labor-optimized displays
• Reviews category financials weekly/monthly and reacts as necessary to ensure Financial Budget and strategic blue chip goals are achieved to exceed sales and profit expectations
• Manages shrink and inventory loss in stores and the warehouses
• Researches, develops and implements Own Brand items, relevant local products, seasonal merchandise across all markets in which we compete
• Manages shrink and inventory loss in stores and the warehouses

• Required
  
  Education:
  
  Bachelor's Degree
• Other Requirements: 5-8 years of food/beverage industry experience or 5-8 years of experience working directly with retailer category management functions (Industry buyer and category management experiences can coincide or be combined for total experience and background). Responsible for procurement directly or indirectly of at least 50 million dollars.
• Minimum Years of
  
  Experience:
  
  5 to 8 years

• Knowledge

  • Ability to read, interpret and write financial reports
  • Sound understanding of Microsoft Office, Google, and key merchandising and system tools and resources
  • Sound understanding of internally developed computer solutions (Deals Portal, Item Maintenance, Efficient Promotions, Category Planning Tools, etc.)
  • Stays current with market and consumer trends;
    Understands competitive landscape and market share data;
    Expertise in assigned categories and all Food/Grocery in general
  • Ability to manage categories to achieve financial targets and strategic goals
  • Knowledge of customer centric…