Food Services Category Manager

Company Overview:

Shell Mobility & Convenience proudly operates over 200 Timewise convenience stores and Shell gas stations in Texas and New Mexico. Our friendly team provides great customer service while supporting our employees with growth opportunities. Shell Mobility & Convenience is based in Houston, Texas and became part of the Shell Group in 2022. Join our friendly and hard-working Timewise family!

Position Overview:

The Food Services Category Manager is responsible for driving sales, margin, and execution excellence across assigned food service categories within the Shell Mobility and Convenience store network. This role owns category strategy from forecasting and pricing to supplier management, promotional planning, and performance analysis, working in close partnership with the Director of Food Service, Operations, Marketing, and key suppliers.

This position plays a critical role in “beating the plan” by using data, disciplined processes, and cross‑functional collaboration to deliver consistent, profitable growth.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales growth, margin improvement, and operational excellence.
• Ensure category decisions are grounded in accurate forecasting, pricing discipline, and performance analytics.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to execute programs flawlessly at the store level.
• Continuously optimize assortment, promotions, and pricing based on performance data and customer behavior.

Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning

• Analyze historical sales data to identify trends, seasonality, and growth opportunities.
• Develop category‑level sales forecasts using historical data, promotional calendars, and predictive analytics tools.
• Collaborate with Operations and Marketing to align forecasts with promotions, launches, and seasonal initiatives.
• Adjust forecasts based on external factors such as holidays, weather patterns, and economic conditions.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and refine assumptions and models on an ongoing basis.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Coordinate with the Director of Food Service on execution of vendor partnership programs.
• Manage supplier performance using KPIs including fill rate, lead time, service levels, compliance, and cost.
• Proactively identify and resolve supply chain risks or disruptions.
• Track pilot programs (e.g., bean‑to‑cup, ICEE, new equipment or product trials) and recommend scale, modification, or discontinuation.
• Ensure proper execution of equipment installations and removals tied to category initiatives.

Pricing Strategy

• Conduct regular competitive retail price checks to benchmark against market standards.
• Develop and maintain pricing models that balance customer value, margin targets, and competitive positioning.
• Perform weekly product margin analysis and communicate pricing recommendations to the Director of Food Service.
• Support consistent pricing execution across stores through disciplined processes and controls.

Price Book Coordination

• Execute Price Book updates for costs and menu items following established SOPs.
• Ensure alignment between Price Book data, actual costs, and retail pricing.
• Maintain consistency in cost structures, margin targets, and Ideal Cost % across the Price Book.
• Validate accuracy of pricing and COGS reflected in store systems.

Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Track category performance using dashboards and KPIs including sales, margin, velocity, and mix.
• Conduct post‑mortem reviews of promotions, pricing changes, and category initiatives.
• Identify underperforming items and recommend corrective actions such as repricing, reformulation, or discontinuation.
• Continuously refine category plans based on performance outcomes and learnings.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Food Service Operations to ensure store‑level execution aligns with category strategy.
• Partner with Marketing on messaging, POP, and promotional communication.
• Coordinate with Finance on margin targets, cost changes, and profitability analysis.
• Support Training and Field teams with clear category expectations and execution guidance.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 3 years of experience in category management, retail, or a related analytical role.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior and convenience retail dynamics.
• Proven experience in pricing strategy, promotional planning, and performance analytics.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with dashboards, reporting tools, and category software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, execution‑driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in convenience store or multi‑unit foodservice category management.
• Familiarity with Price Book systems, POS pricing structures, and margin modeling.
• Experience managing supplier pilots and scaling successful programs.
• Knowledge of demand forecasting and inventory planning principles.

 Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 25-50lbs or more.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing and walking.
• Ability to travel to store sites 50-75% of the time.