Associate Category Manager - Grocery

Overview The Associate Category Manager plans and directs assortment development, pricing and promotions, and vendor management for their categories with oversight from a Senior Category Manager and a Director of Merchandising. This position assesses the marketplace for new products and innovation and helps bring the best into Sprouts. This position partners with the Sprouts Brand team on new products, and product enhancements to drive sales while meeting Sprouts ingredient, quality, and profit expectations. The Associate Category Manager analyzes sales data, consumer trends, pricing, and product quality to assess value and designs a complete assortment to win share in their categories. Overview Of Responsibilities Embrace our purpose of helping people live and eat better and bring that to life in your categories. Develop strategies to win market share in your categories that supports broader Grocery and Sprouts strategies. Includes ecommerce and stores. Create assortments and pricing structures to maximize sales, margin and minimize spoilageDevelop and maintain budget, sales, gross margins, and profit goals for departmentDrive the category review process with all CFT’s. Launch innovation faster than our competition. Find the optimal balance of building emerging brands and driving strong sales on existing favorites. Build and create customers favorite items in partnership with the Sprouts Brand Team. Align projects with category and department initiatives and emerging industry trends.Oversee all department marketing plans and ads, including monthly and weekly flyers, and partner with Shopper marketing and loyalty teams on vendor campaigns. Respond to vendor, customer, and store level issues as needed on a timely basisDevelop and communicate easy to use weekly merchandising plans and directives for storesDevelop and maintain strong vendor and broker relationshipsSupport and act as a liaison between Sprouts stores and vendors to assure quality products and department standards are being deliveredSupply clear direction for new & existing stores on proper department layout, schematics, opening orders, programs & trainingCoordinate and source vendor participation for new store openings and resets Qualifications Preferred bachelor’s degree in business or a related field and 3-5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, buying, procurement, or related retail experienceRetail experience preferred from forecasting, buying, procurement, or negotiating functionsRequires long-term strategic and financial planning skillsWorking knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the InternetAbility to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlinesComplete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and marginsSome travel required Benefits In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include: Competitive paySick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families healthVacation accrual planOpportunities for career growth15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at SproutsFlexible schedulesEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company matchCompany paid life insuranceContests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun! Eligibility Requirements May Apply For The Following Benefits Bonus based on company and/or individual performanceAffordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and visionHealth Savings Account with company matchPre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent careCompany paid short-term disability coveragePaid parental leave for both mothers and fathersPaid holidays Get Paid Every Day! Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free. We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday. You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/. Why Sprouts Grow with us! If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting. Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Sprouts will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance. California Residents: We collect information in accordance with California law, please see here for more information.