Category Manager, Fresh Food

Duties/Responsibilities

• Drive profitable sales and implement new and effective sales strategies for all Fresh Foods departments and sub-categories.
• Collaboratively develop, train, and lead a team of Assistant Category Managers, as assigned, to be innovators of exciting new products and long-term business builders, delighting our guests in Fresh Foods.
• Possess strong business acumen and demonstrate accountability for the overall P&L for Jacksons Food Stores.
• Evaluate and implement best practices in operational efficiencies, merchandising, and pricing across Fresh Foods categories, driving improvement in products, cost, and efficiencies.
• Work closely with other Category Managers and Regional Food and Beverage Managers to optimize merchandising strategies and overall store performance.
• Cook up and communicate effectively with the Operations, Merchandising and Capitol Kitchen teams to ensure precise implementation of category offers.
• Achieve sales and margin targets as developed in the planning process.
• Determine ways to increase revenue, reduce costs and improve overall results in the Fresh Foods category and departments.
• Negotiate favorable trading terms with applicable vendors, leveraging Jacksons scale and capabilities to continually enhance support and increase margins.
• Develop and implement category plans, marketing, and promotional programs across all Fresh Foods categories.
• Develop and implement merchandising tools including planograms, shelving, fixtures, and displays.
• Identify and implement private label opportunities.
• Connect with frontline employees, department managers and all other levels of leadership.
• Represent the company at trade associations, conferences, meetings, trade shows and regional events.

Skills/Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in food retailing, foodservice operations oversight, or convenience store foodservice responsibilities.
• Extensive knowledge of category management principles preferably in a retail environment.
• Thorough understanding of how the retail customer engages, and shops small retail food offers.
• Comprehensive understanding of the convenience store consumer journey and opportunities.
• Advanced analytical skills with a data driven approach to strategic decision making.
• A high degree of self-motivation and attention to detail.
• The ability to effectively work independently and with others with a high degree of latitude and decision-making discretion.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite including Outlook and Excel.