Assistant Category Manager

Own the Category. Drive the Business. Influence the Shelf.

This is not a back-office role.

We’re looking for an Assistant Category Manager – Fresh who wants to step beyond analysis and take ownership of the business—from vendor negotiations to shelf execution.

If you’ve worked in grocery, merchandising, or category management and are ready to influence decisions, not just report on them, this is your next move.

What You’ll Own

Category Performance

• Help drive sales, margin, and market share across Fresh categories (Produce, Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery)
• Analyze performance and turn insights into action—not just reports

Vendor Strategy & Negotiation

• Support and participate in vendor negotiations, cost optimization, and program development
• Identify opportunities to improve cost structure while protecting quality and assortment

Assortment & Shelf Strategy

• Influence what goes on the shelf—and why
• Ensure the right product mix, placement, and pricing strategy across banners
• Support planogram execution and merchandising alignment

Promotions & Growth Initiatives

• Build and support promotional strategies that drive both traffic and profitability
• Contribute to category reviews, innovation pipelines, and new product programs

Cross-Functional Execution

• Partner with Pricing, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Marketing, and Store Operations
• Ensure category strategies actually get executed in-store

Leadership Exposure

• Step in when the Category Manager is unavailable
• Influence analysts and cross-functional partners
• Be seen as a future Category Manager in the making

Who You Are

You’re not passive. You don’t just “support.” You drive outcomes.

You likely have:

• 5–8 years in grocery, retail, merchandising, or category-related roles
• Experience working with vendors, pricing, promotions, or assortment decisions
• A strong ability to connect data to business decisions
• Exposure to Fresh categories (or a strong desire to break into them)

You stand out if you’ve:

• Influenced or participated in vendor negotiations
• Owned or contributed to category reviews or assortment changes
• Worked cross-functionally to execute business strategies
• Delivered measurable results (sales growth, margin improvement, cost savings)

What You’ll Gain

• Real category ownership experience (not just analysis)
• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• A clear path toward Category Manager and beyond
• The ability to impact a high-volume, multi-banner retail business

Why Food Lion

• Hybrid work environment
• Strong, stable growth (53 consecutive quarters)
• Competitive compensation annual incentive
• Day 1 benefits 401(k) match
• A culture that actually develops talent internally

Travel

• ~8–12%

If your experience is limited to reporting, analysis, or siloed work without business ownership—this role will stretch you fast. If you’re ready to own outcomes, influence decisions, and grow into a Category Manager role, apply.