What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager position at Sedano's?
Overview
The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing end-to-end category strategies across assigned grocery product lines. This role serves as the key business owner for their categories, driving profitable growth through data-driven insights, strong vendor partnerships, and a deep understanding of shopper behavior. The ideal candidate brings proven grocery retail or CPG experience and excels at translating market intelligence into actionable, results-oriented plans.
Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
- Develop and own multi-year category business plans aligned with overall merchandising strategy and financial objectives
- Define category roles, segmentation, and performance targets in partnership with senior leadership
- Conduct regular category reviews and present findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders
Assortment & Space Management
- Optimize SKU assortment to drive sales, margin, and shopper satisfaction using Nielsen, IRI, or Circana data
- Manage planogram development and space allocation in collaboration with Space Planning teams
- Lead new item evaluations, line reviews, and seasonal reset planning
Vendor & Supplier Management
- Negotiate pricing, trade terms, promotional programs, and annual vendor agreements
- Serve as primary point of contact for vendor partners; conduct joint business planning (JBP) sessions
- Manage vendor performance scorecards and hold partners accountable to agreed commitments
Pricing & Promotions
- Set and maintain everyday pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with margin goals
- Build and manage promotional calendars, evaluating ROI and optimizing trade spend effectiveness
- Partner with Marketing to develop compelling shopper-facing promotions and in-store activations
Analytics & Insights
- Analyze POS, loyalty, and syndicated data to identify category trends, gaps, and opportunities
- Monitor competitive landscape, pricing, and assortment shifts; translate findings into actionable strategies
- Track and report category KPIs including sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and market share
Qualifications
Required
- 5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or buying within grocery retail or CPG
- Demonstrated proficiency with syndicated data platforms (Nielsen / Circana / IRI) and POS analytics tools
- Proven track record of delivering category sales and margin growth in a retail or wholesale environment
- Strong negotiation skills with experience managing supplier relationships and trade funding
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or category management software (e.g., JDA, Blue Yonder, Apollo)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence at all levels of the organization
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field
Preferred
- Experience with private label / own-brand development within a grocery category
- Familiarity with loyalty and shopper marketing programs (e.g., 84.51°, Dunnhumby)
- Knowledge of CPFR (Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment) practices
- Experience in a direct-to-consumer or omnichannel grocery environment
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree