What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager, Foodservice position at Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores?
Welcome to Love's, where our values extend beyond our brand name. We are seeking a Category Manager, Foodservice at Love’s Travel Stops, a vital role contributing to the success of our long-term business strategy within the Food Service Department. This position is responsible for managing assigned categories within our proprietary food and beverage portfolio, including developing and executing category strategies aligned with the broader foodservice vision.
Job Functions:
Annual Business Planning Process
- Support the annual budgeting and planning process, ensuring assigned categories deliver against financial and strategic commitments.
- Develop annual category plans aligned to the Fresh Kitchen vision and strategy, including assortment, positioning, product improvement roadmaps, and promotional plans.
Financial Responsibility
- Accountable for financial performance of assigned categories, delivering sales, margin, and contribution targets.
- Manages rebate and marketing funds processes to ensure accurate collection, allocation, and financial integrity.
Product & Promotional Calendar
- Supports development and execution of a category activity calendar inclusive of new product launches and limited‑time offerings aligned to category strategy.
- Partners closely with category leadership to prioritize product development initiatives based on business objectives and growth opportunities.
- Collaborates with Merchandising category teams to identify and execute cross‑promotion opportunities that drive incremental sales.
Business Review Process
- Partners with the Analytics team to deliver timely monthly P&L analysis for Fresh Foods.
- Provides regular reporting and insights on category performance, trends, and key KPIs.
- Prepares and presents quarterly business updates to Foodservice leadership.
Assortment & Pricing Reviews
- Leverage sales performance data, market research, and customer insights to continuously improve the category offer.
- Conducts regular SKU rationalization reviews to ensure the right products are offered in the right locations.
- Partners with Pricing Analytics to validate pricing and promotional strategies that deliver strong guest value while meeting financial objectives.
Customer Experience
- Partners with Space Planning to ensure assortments are thoughtfully deployed in the right locations to maximize guest engagement and performance.
- Ensures planograms are developed with clear intent to influence guest behavior and support purchase decision‑making.
- Works closely with the Dispensed Beverage Category Manager to optimize counter layouts and equipment placement.
Vendor Relationships
- Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key partners, suppliers, and vendors.
- Negotiates pricing, terms, and agreements to optimize cost, ensure product quality, and support business objectives.
- Leads quarterly business reviews with strategic vendor partners to evaluate performance and identify growth opportunities
Experience and Qualifications:
- 3-7 years of relevant experience in category management, merchandising, or related commercial industry
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Hospitality Management, Supply Chain, or related field preferred
- Candidates with a blend of commercial experience (category/merchandising) and operational experience (foodservice/QSR/convenience) are strongly encouraged
- Demonstrated ability to drive category performance metrics including sales, units, and gross profit
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Skills and Physical Demands:
- Requires standing and walking, with some bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, climbing and ladder use
- Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs
- Occasional travel regionally/nationally will be required
Our Culture:
Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award-winning culture.
Love's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.