Category Manager III - Center Store (SPA)

About the Company

Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine in 1883 and remains deeply connected to its local roots. The company actively seeks out farmers and producers for its Local program, celebrating local foods, farmland preservation, local traditions, and jobs. Hannaford was the first major U.S. supermarket to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested. The company offers a flexible work environment with a hybrid work expectation for Home Office positions, requiring physical presence in the Scarborough office 3 days a week.

About the Role

Responsible for producing a comprehensive and cohesive category strategy that meets customer needs and achieves category goals while supporting brand-integrated business plans. This role drives day-to-day activities with a consumer-centric focus through Category, Merchandising, and Pricing (CMP) responsibilities. It also involves thought leadership and category expertise around trends and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Manages performance for assigned category, including margin and shrink.
• Responsible for all category financial and customer metrics.
• Oversees procurement and replenishment (Fresh) and in-stock position at the shelf (Center Store), including service levels, inventory/days on hand, forecasting, and seasonal impacts.
• Handles talent planning, team development, and performance management.
• Develops and executes customer-focused category plans and drives a selling culture.
• Manages pricing for assigned categories and influences pricing strategy.
• Serves as subject matter expert for assigned categories.
• Manages assortment and selection, including final approval for all planogram (POG) decisions.
• Drives product innovation and vendor negotiation and relationships.
• Develops and builds strong teams.
• Develops and leverages relationships with key influencers and decision-makers in assigned areas.
• Inspires and leads the team.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of professional experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Proficient in Microsoft programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of relationship management with vendors, brokers, and third-party consultants.
• Negotiation experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Analytics & Insights: Developing actionable insights based on information and research analysis to support decision-making and strategy creation.
• Assortment: Ability to optimize assortment both in-store and online to meet customer wants, commercial needs, and competitive positioning.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Ability to create internal and external cross-functional relationships for beneficial solutions.
• eCommerce Acumen: Ability to understand and apply eCommerce drivers and insights to develop digital-focused solutions.
• Financial & Business Acumen: Ability to understand and apply knowledge of Hannaford and supplier financial drivers to develop sustainable solutions.
• Forecasting & Replenishment: Ability to utilize procurement systems, tools, and processes for consistent product flow and availability.
• In-Store & Digital Shelf Management & Merchandising: Ability to create and implement consistent merchandising initiatives across in-store and digital platforms.
• Internal & External Communication & Documentation: Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners, including formal presentations and documentation.
• Negotiation: Ability to gain alignment between internal and external parties while achieving positive business results.
• Pricing & Promotion: Ability to develop and implement pricing and promotion initiatives supporting Hannaford’s pricing strategy.
• Product, Category, & Industry Knowledge: Ability to apply understanding of food safety, product specifications, category dynamics, and marketplace trends.
• Product Development & Assortment: Ability to develop and implement product development and assortment initiatives across all retail formats.
• Strategic Business Planning: Ability to develop and implement comprehensive category leadership solutions aligned with Hannaford’s strategy.

Pay

The pay range for this temporary assignment will align with the associate's current rate of pay.