Senior Manager Private Label Strategy

As Manager for Murray’s Private Label (PL) portfolio, you will own the vision, strategy, and execution that bring innovative, high-quality products to market. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on leadership—driving sales, strengthening brand positioning, and delivering on growth and profitability targets.

You will guide the full lifecycle of Private Label product development and commercialization, including market assessment, pricing, distribution, and promotional strategy. In partnership with cross-functional and Kroger enterprise teams, you’ll ensure alignment between category objectives, brand direction, and customer needs.

This position requires a proven ability to translate consumer and market insights into actionable business strategies, lead through influence, and manage a complex, evolving product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Market Insights

• Develop and refine long-term category strategies that drive growth and profitability across Murray’s PL portfolio.
• Leverage consumer, market, and competitive insights to identify emerging trends, white space opportunities, and innovation pathways.
• Conduct ongoing category performance analysis and provide data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.

Go-to-Market & Commercialization

• Lead end-to-end product commercialization—from concept to shelf—including business case development, timeline management, and post-launch evaluation.
• Define clear go-to-market strategies encompassing product positioning, pricing, and distribution across retail and e-commerce channels.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to ensure consistent messaging and compelling product storytelling in market activations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Kroger and NYC-based merchandising, marketing, finance, and operations teams to align on business goals and category plans.
• Manage vendor partnerships, overseeing contracts, product development, QA, compliance, and packaging innovation.
• Lead cross-functional project teams to deliver category initiatives on time, within budget, and to specification.

Performance & Optimization

• Conduct post-launch reviews, retail audits, and competitive benchmarking to measure performance and inform future strategy.
• Recommend course corrections and optimization strategies to sustain category growth.
• Actively participate in sensory evaluation, product reformulations, and packaging updates to ensure product quality and brand consistency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), product development, or category management.
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, financial, and strategic planning skills, with experience in sales and profit forecasting.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Self-directed, results-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing Private Label or branded product portfolios.
• Expertise in vendor management and contract compliance.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and packaging innovation processes.
• Demonstrated success driving category or brand growth through data-driven strategy and commercialization excellence.

Work Perks 

• Weekly pay 
• 3 weeks’ Vacation and sick time 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits 
• 401k Company Match 
• Life Insurance and LTD options 
• Pre-tax commuter benefits 
• Discounts on our products and restaurant! 

E-Verify Notice

• This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Please see the attached notice for more information.
• Este empleador participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU.. Por favor, consulte el aviso adjunto para obtener más información.