Category Manager

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

About You

Summary

The Category Manager develops and executes short- and long-term strategies using data, consumer insights, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools—to drive category growth, profitability, and relevance through a shopper-first lens. This position requires a working knowledge of the products within the division, ability to comprehend consumer needs and buying practices, and understand the sales goals and environment related to the merchandise category. Your vision must be through the consumer lens.

Essential Functions

The core functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Successfully navigates the organization and collaborates with other departments within the organization
• Provides co-op members with customer focused insights and guidance regarding the product and category
• Creates and develops a short- and long-term plan and strategy for development of the category(s) within scope that are customer led and analytically driven
• Able to give direction and guidance to division support associates as needed
• Leads category management projects to optimize ranges and related merchandising
• Manages a large portfolio of products and develops appropriate strategies for each
• Works with key business partners to achieve sales goals and maximize profit for assigned category(s)
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Marketing, Merchandising, and Analytics teams
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of division specific products
• Uses data and research to identify consumer needs and buying practices

Qualifications

• Four-year College degree or currently enrolled night student with a minimum of 60 or more college credits completed towards a Business Degree
• Be able to Communicate your knowledge with how you utilize AI in your daily routines
• Must have at least 2 years of previous purchasing experience in a retail organization and an understanding of surrounding laws and regulations
• Knowledge of food trends as they relate to traditional grocery-store retail outlets as well as QSR, fast casual, c-store, and club channels
• Able to analyze consumer data and identify trends
• Aptitude for detail and figure-oriented work and the ability to learn computer systems easily
• Experienced in giving presentations with the ability to adapt to differing perspectives
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills
• Clear ability to analyze data to make category decisions
• A thorough understanding of retail insights
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization
• Previous experience and knowledge of a retail environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate category strategies and the impact on total store
• Proven experience of highly effective supplier management and development
• Experience of managing business improvements projects within a Supply Chain & Purchasing environment

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to sit/stand in front of a computer for long periods of time
• Ability to participate in retail store visits
• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to work a four day in office hybrid schedule as established by the organization

Competencies

• Communicate Effectively: Share thoughts, ideas and information in an organized, clear and precise and persuasive manner (written and oral communication).
• Drive or Results: Understands how the role impacts the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Embrace Change: Adapts to new environment, jobs, technologies and processes.
• Develop You: Identifies opportunities for career development.
• Build Relationships: Works as part of a team to achieve company goals.
• Stay Competitive: Shows passion and enthusiasm for their work.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $80,000 to $120,000 annually. Placement in the salary depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.

About The Work

This job description is intended to set forth the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of the work performed by associates for this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates to do this job. Associates may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require associates to perform other tasks such as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or the work environment changes. This document describes the position currently available and is not an employment contract.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. If requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position covered by this Job Description is expressly declared to be “at will,” meaning Wakefern has the right to terminate the incumbent’s employment at any time, with or without cause. Any written or oral promises or representations to the contrary are expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any associate. Any change to this “at will” employment status must be in writing and signed by the Vice President of Human Resource.