Assistant Category Manager - Produce

Overview

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of a business plan that aligns and delivers against department and company strategies and goals using a customer mindset with oversight from a senior category manager for one category.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long- and short-range customer focused category plan including contingency plans
• Improves upon product innovation, product quality, produce availability, presentation, packaging, costing, and pricing for the purpose of exceeding goals and sustained long term growth
• Actively manage sales, margin and turn plan of assigned category
• Actively anticipates challenges and proactively seeks solutions
• Approach with curiosity
• Engage with all daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports
• Balance data with instinct in decision making
• Competitive analysis: Audit competitive product selection, displays, marketing and pricing through on-site and online visits and market research
• Leverage customer and market insights to ensure that the category strategy is aligned with consumer preferences and evolving market trends
• Lead cross functional teams
• Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships internally and with suppliers
• Effective communication and coaching to provide direction on how to deliver category strategy and influence change
• Provide the stores with relevant data and instructions to make informed decisions and how to maximize profitability
• Organize and participate in meetings, workshops, conferences for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information to perform functions
• Support department resets as appropriate
• Ensure that all federal, state, and company regulations and standards for product freshness, safety, refrigeration, and sanitation are met
• Utilize senior category manager for guidance and align on strategies and actions

Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor's degree in business or related field with a minimum of three years (3) of merchandising or business planning experience
• Previous buying/negotiating experience preferred
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills and a curious mindset
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict periods and resolute deadlines
• Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins
• Some travel required