Category Manager

Category Strategy & Planning

• Develop and own multi‑year category business plans aligned with overall merchandising strategy and financial objectives.
• Define category roles, segmentation, and performance targets in partnership with senior leadership.
• Conduct regular category reviews and present findings and recommendations to cross‑functional stakeholders.

Assortment & Space Management

• Optimize SKU assortment to drive sales, margin, and shopper satisfaction using Nielsen, IRI, or Circana data.
• Manage planogram development and space allocation in collaboration with Space Planning teams.
• Lead new item evaluations, line reviews, and seasonal reset planning.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Negotiate pricing, trade terms, promotional programs, and annual vendor agreements.
• Serve as primary point of contact for vendor partners; conduct joint business planning (JBP) sessions.
• Manage vendor performance scorecards and hold partners accountable to agreed commitments.

Pricing & Promotions

• Set and maintain everyday pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with margin goals.
• Build and manage promotional calendars, evaluating ROI and optimizing trade‑spend effectiveness.
• Partner with Marketing to develop compelling shopper‑facing promotions and in‑store activations.

Analytics & Insights

• Analyze POS, loyalty, and syndicated data to identify category trends, gaps, and opportunities.
• Monitor competitive landscape, pricing, and assortment shifts; translate findings into actionable strategies.
• Track and report category KPIs including sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and market share.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or buying within grocery retail or CPG.
• Proficiency with syndicated data platforms (Nielsen, Circana, IRI) and POS analytics tools.
• Proven track record of delivering category sales and margin growth in a retail or wholesale environment.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience managing supplier relationships and trade funding.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or category management software (e.g., JDA, Blue Yonder, Apollo).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with private label / own‑brand development within a grocery category.
• Familiarity with loyalty and shopper marketing programs (e.g., 84.51°, Dunnhumby).
• Knowledge of CPFR (Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment) practices.
• Experience in a direct‑to‑consumer or omnichannel grocery environment.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.