Deli​/Bakery Category Manager

Position Summary

The Deli-Bakery Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive category strategy that meets customer needs, delivers financial and operational goals, and supports the company's integrated business plans. This role leads the day-to-day management of the Deli and Bakery business with a strong customer-focused and selling-oriented approach across Category Management, Merchandising, Pricing, Procurement, Replenishment, and Operations. The Category Manager serves as the subject-matter expert for Deli-Bakery, providing leadership on consumer trends, product innovation, assortment, food preparation, freshness, and category growth.

• Manage overall performance for assigned Deli-Bakery categories, including sales, margin, shrink, inventory, service levels, and customer metrics.
• Develop and execute customer-focused category plans that drive growth and support a strong selling culture.
• Manage category financial performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability, freshness, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee procurement, replenishment, forecasting, seasonal planning, and days-on-hand for short-shelf-life products.
• Maintain strong in-stock conditions while balancing freshness, production needs, waste, and shrink.
• Develop pricing recommendations and influence pricing strategy for Deli-Bakery products.
• Manage product assortment and selection, including final approval of planogram and merchandising decisions.
• Identify and lead product innovation based on consumer insights, food trends, seasonal opportunities, and changing customer preferences.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with vendors, suppliers, commissaries, and cross-functional partners.
• Lead vendor negotiations related to cost, assortment, quality, service, innovation, and performance.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for Deli-Bakery products, preparation methods, food safety, freshness, and operational execution.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Pricing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Store Operations, Quality Assurance, and Marketing.
• Lead talent planning, team development, coaching, and performance management.
• Build and maintain a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Ensure category strategies align with brand priorities, customer expectations, and operational capabilities.

• Strong knowledge of Deli-Bakery category management, merchandising, pricing, procurement, replenishment, and inventory management.
• Ability to manage day-to-day category activities while supporting long-term business strategies.
• Strong understanding of short-shelf-life products, production planning, freshness standards, shrink management, and food safety.
• Ability to analyze consumer insights, market trends, financial performance, and operational data.
• Strong negotiation and vendor‑management skills.
• Ability to influence decisions and gain alignment across multiple business areas and levels of leadership.
• Ability to take calculated risks when implementing programs that respond to changing customer demands.
• Innovative and strategic thinker with the ability to identify new product, assortment, and merchandising opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational and operational change.
• Strong communication, presentation, planning, and influencing skills.
• Active listener with the ability to build trust and credibility across the organization.
• Self‑motivated and persuasive, with the ability to present and execute new ideas.
• Ability to balance customer demand, product quality, food safety, financial performance, and store execution.

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Five to eight years of category management experience, preferably within Deli, Bakery, Fresh Foods, Prepared Foods, or Food service.
• Minimum of eight years of combined experience in retail, merchandising, pricing, logistics, supply chain, procurement, food service, or distribution.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through organizational or operational change.
• Proven track record of coaching, developing, and managing the performance of others.
• Knowledge…