Category Manager - Center Store

The Category Manager drives excellence through developing a strategic offering and product placement that maximizes customer traffic, revenue, and profitability for their assigned category. They will be responsible for ensuring such excellence through provision of category management responsibilities for assigned categories and in supporting fellow Category Managers, allowing the broader team(s) to optimize performance and all growth opportunities.

This role will require best-in-class category management skills with the effective use of the 4Ps - Product, Place, Pricing & Promotions. The successful candidate will be required to build extensive knowledge of their categories and the wider dynamics of the retail environment. They will be expected to define, shape, manage and monitor their categories; working with internal and external stakeholders to optimize an ever-evolving offer whilst delivering against business targets. Pivotal to the role will be interaction with suppliers, negotiating then managing the execution of annual Joint Business Plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that best-in-class category management principles and processes are applied to all assigned categories: Develop and executes annual category business plans including category specific roles, strategies, and tactics as well as overall marketing goals and objectives.
• Work closely with operations to ensure effective execution of all programs through frequent store visits, in store training and all communications methods.
• Establishes pricing and margins for assigned categories. Completes competitive price surveys and looks for Price Optimization opportunities.
• Responsible for product assortment, merchandising, planograms, placement, item deletion and store layouts for assigned categories using Scan Data and Space Management principles.
• Coordinates and implements monthly promotions. Clearly communicate these promotions to Vendors, Pricebook and Operations.
• Analyze Monthly Sales data and prepare category analysis.
• Secures and administers rebates and allowances. Reconciles rebates on a quarterly basis.
• Coordinates and tracks testing of new products/equipment. Publishes results and recommendations.
• Analyze customer and market research data and reports of assigned categories.
• Develop incentive programs and contests to drive engagement of customers and store associates.
• Establish, build, and manage critical supplier relationships, including ownership across all negotiations.
• Negotiate product cost with regional vendor partners.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks.

Qualifications

The position requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in retail marketing or operations preferred.
• Must be computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Direct experience or a clear understanding of Category Management and the Convenience Retail business will be a clear advantage.
• First-hand experience and understanding of Category Management, as well direct consumer goods retailing experience is a key advantage.
• Ability to travel to store locations as needed (Expected Travel 25-40%)
• A current valid driver's license with a clean abstract is required.

Competencies

• Results driven mindset; able to deliver against or support delivery of stretching business targets.
• Takes initiative and works independently as well as within a team environment.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Negotiations skills; demonstrable negotiation skills.
• Insights Orientated; rounded understanding of the dynamics of the shopper and the retailer, underpinned by a deep consumer led mindset.
• Collaborative; able to work across multiple external and internal touch points, an effective team player and contributor.
• Resilience; up for a challenge and able to prioritize workload when under pressure from different stakeholders.
• Attention to detail; strict attention to detail must be applied to all work; ensuring all tasks are accomplished within the timescales specified.
• Ability to communicate, verbal or written in a professional and positive demeanor with associates, vendors, customers, and clients.