Senior Category Manager - Grocery

About the role

The Senior Category Manager plays a strategic leadership role in overseeing product development and category performance within the Grocery department, under the guidance of the Director of Grocery. This role is responsible for driving product innovation, evaluating market trends, and ensuring alignment with Sprouts' quality standards. The Senior Category Manager conducts in-depth analyses of sales data, consumer trends, pricing, and product quality to assess value and sales velocity. Key responsibilities include researching and launching new products or brands, negotiating vendor agreements, and managing the procurement lifecycle from selection and ordering to payment authorization ensuring that all activities support departmental objectives and contractual compliance.

Responsibilities

• Embrace Sprouts' purpose of helping people live and eat better and bring that to life in your categories.
• Develop strategies to win market share at the segment level (e.g., Pantry, Snacks) that support broader Grocery and Sprouts strategies, including ecommerce and stores.
• Support all Sprouts standards for products carried in the department and assure all vendor products meet those standards on quality and price.
• Manage, develop, and coach the ACM and Merchandising Specialist who report to you to create a productive working relationship that elevates the Grocery Department and supports their career growth.
• Help the merchant team evolve to manage not only sales, but segment-level gross profit and strengthen disciplines around inventory management.
• Drive the category review process with all CFTs.
• Launch innovation faster than competitors; find the optimal balance of building emerging brands and driving strong sales on existing favorites.
• Partner with the pricing team and negotiate with suppliers to stay competitive on base pricing and deliver Sprouts profit needs.
• Establish retail and promotional pricing across the department to meet budgetary goals.
• Lead JBP vendor partnerships and expand collaboration with vendors and brokers across the business; build win-win partnerships that enhance Sprouts' reputation.
• Build and create customers' favorite items in partnership with the Sprouts Brand Team.
• Align projects with category and department initiatives and emerging industry trends.
• Develop and communicate easy-to-use merchandising and promotional plans and directives for Ops and stores to execute.
• Oversee all department marketing plans and ads, including weekly flyer and DOT.
• Respond to vendor, customer, and store issues on a timely basis.
• Demonstrate desire to grow with Sprouts into greater leadership roles.

Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of departmental experience; experience as Merchandiser or Manager preferred.
• Previous buying/negotiating experience required.
• Long-term strategic and financial planning skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the Internet.
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management, and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines.
• Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins.
• Some travel required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Sick time plan usable to support your or your immediate family’s health.
• Vacation accrual plan.
• Opportunities for career growth.
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts.
• Flexible schedules.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food, and fun.

Eligibility Requirements

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance.
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.
• Health Savings Account with company match.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Company-paid short-term disability coverage.
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers.
• Paid holidays.

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. You can see how much you’ve made every day and transfer your money any time before payday.