Category Manager - Meat - Corporate

About Us:

Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — were a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, weve grown into the Pacific Northwests premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one thats centered around food, culture, and people.

Why Join Uwajimaya?

At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection.

Who We're Looking For
Were looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether youre serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — youll feel right at home here.

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:

• Functional/Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.
• Customer Focus:
  You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.
• Action Oriented:
  You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.
• Peer Relationships:
  You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.
• Self-Development:
  You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.

We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work culture
• Competitive starting wages
• Paid holidays from day one
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
• A generous retirement plan
• Paid time off, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Employee discounts on food and gift items
• Supplemental insurance options
• Opportunities for growth and advancement

Position Summary :

The Category Manager – Meat at Uwajimaya will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to drive sales, profitability, and market share across the meat category. They will collaborate with stores and suppliers, analyze market trends, design and run category promotions, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize product assortment and merchandising strategies. Collaborating with store managers and vendors, they enhance profitability by updating costs, monitoring sales and Gross Profit across retail locations, coordinating purchases, and managing data files.

This role requires a thorough understanding of store operations and procurement, as well as an understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian food. The Category Manager should have strong interpersonal communication and analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the competitive market. The Category Manager will develop and drive strategic decisions and optimize overall performance for their assigned categories.

Positions Key Responsibilities :

• Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business objectives. Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights. Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales and profitability.…