What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager - Tobacco & Services position at Yesway?
Who we Are:
Yesway, Inc. (“Yesway” or the “Company") (Nasdaq: YSWY), is an award-winning convenience store operator established in 2015 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. With 450 stores across nine states in the Midwest and Southwest, Yesway is renowned for its iconic foodservice offerings, diverse grocery selections, and private-label products, including Allsup’s deep-fried burrito. Through strategic acquisitions, new store developments, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Yesway continues to solidify its position as one of the leading convenience retailers in the United States. For more information, visit www.yesway.com.
Position Responsibilities:
Yesway, Inc. (“Yesway” or the “Company") (Nasdaq: YSWY), is an award-winning convenience store operator established in 2015 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. With 450 stores across nine states in the Midwest and Southwest, Yesway is renowned for its iconic foodservice offerings, diverse grocery selections, and private-label products, including Allsup’s deep-fried burrito. Through strategic acquisitions, new store developments, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Yesway continues to solidify its position as one of the leading convenience retailers in the United States. For more information, visit www.yesway.com.
Position Responsibilities:
- Own the full P&L performance of assigned tobacco and service categories, delivering sales growth, margin expansion, inventory productivity, and market share gains across all banners.
- Develop and execute annual category strategies and 3-year roadmaps, including assortment optimization, pricing architecture, manufacturer program execution, regulatory compliance, promotional strategy, and innovation aligned to company growth objectives.
- Lead joint business planning with key supplier partners; negotiate cost of goods, trade funding, promotional investment, manufacturer agreements, and contract terms to maximize ROI.
- Utilize POS data, syndicated insights, customer analytics, manufacturer data, and competitive intelligence to identify trends, pricing opportunities, business risks, and actionable category plans.
- Ensure assigned categories comply with applicable federal, state, local, manufacturer, and company requirements while partnering with Operations on consistent execution.
- Lead the strategic direction of cigarettes, other tobacco products, nicotine alternatives, lottery and gaming, and assigned service programs.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the associate category manager, supporting execution, professional development, and business performance.
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships to strengthen manufacturer programs, merchandising initiatives, pricing strategies, and contractual performance.
- Partner with Marketing, Loyalty, Operations, Supply Chain, and merchandising teams to ensure alignment on promotions, pricing, regulatory execution, in-stock performance, and execution.
- Monitor supplier scorecards to ensure accountability for service levels, manufacturer commitments, innovation, and financial performance.
- Evaluate promotional effectiveness, pricing strategies, and manufacturer programs to maximize return on promotional investment.
- Present category performance updates, strategic plans, and key initiatives to senior leadership and field operations.
- Travel independently as required (approximately 10%).
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or related field required; advanced degree a plus. Equivalent combination of education and relevant retail merchandising experience will be considered.
- Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in retail category management, merchandising, or multi-unit retail operations; convenience retail experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success owning category P&L performance, including sales growth, gross margin expansion, and inventory productivity improvement.
- Experience developing and executing data-driven category strategies, assortment optimization, pricing architecture, and promotional planning.
- Proven track record negotiating cost of goods, trade funding, and supplier agreements to drive measurable financial outcomes.
- Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business decisions.
- Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and business ownership mindset.
- Ability to influence cross-functional partners and present effectively to senior leadership.
- High level of organization and attention to detail with disciplined follow-through.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with POS and syndicated data tools preferred.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Savings Account
- Company Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K with Company Match
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Time
- Paid Holidays
- Voluntary Supplemental
- Life Insurance
- Disability
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Indemnity
- Accident Coverage
- Pet Care Plan
- Legal Insurance