Category Retail Manager (Hybrid)

$88,400 - $143,300/Yr

U.n.f.i - Stillwater, MN

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Stillwater, MN

1,001-5,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Category Manager is responsible for driving growth and profitability within assigned categories by leveraging advanced data analytics and strategic insights. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills who can independently handle complex issues and devise innovative solutions to meet and exceed business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual category business plans based on in-depth analysis of historical performance, market trends, and consumer insights.
• Achieve or surpass sales and profit targets by implementing effective pricing, promotion, and assortment strategies.
• Design and manage a promotional calendar aligned with company strategies.
• Determine optimal product assortment and make decisions regarding new product introductions and discontinuations.
• Maintain and analyze weekly, quarterly, and annual scorecards to monitor category performance.
• Serve as the primary contact for vendors, negotiating deals and providing business updates.
• Collaborate with the schematic team to ensure that the latest plan-o-grams are consistently maintained across the entire category.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and trade partners to implement a first-to-market strategy for major initiatives or new products.
• Work closely with merchandising, store operations, and other departments to ensure cohesive execution of category plans.
• Regularly visit stores to assess the effectiveness of merchandising programs and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
• Provide direction and support to office staff, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and initiatives.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging market opportunities, and competitive landscape to continuously refine category strategies.
• Conduct deep dives into category performance and consumer behavior to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Coordinate promotional plans (ads and displays) and merchandising messages within the department as assigned by management.
• Create and present regular reports on category performance, market trends, and strategic initiatives to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.
• Proven experience in category management within food retail, with a strong understanding of operations and merchandising.
• Experience with advanced data analytics tools, such as Nielsen, is highly desirable.
• Strong ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights to drive category performance.
• Expertise in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve category objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial analysis, including the ability to read and interpret profit and loss statements.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with data analytics tools.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced knowledge of Category Business Planning and merchandising methodologies.
• Experience with procurement, logistics, and inventory management.