Category Manager

Category Manager

The Category Manager must possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills. The position purchases center store products, working with a variety of wholesalers, brokers and vendor partners. This position will work closely with the Center Store Department Directors in achieving desired gross profit plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Build weekly itemization, pricing and layout for ad insert, direct mail and digital advertising offers that delivers sales and gross profits plans.
• Proof all department advertising for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify suppliers (vendors, brokers, manufacturers), select merchandise, and negotiate contracts.
• Negotiate and purchase products at the most favorable cost in quantities consistent with store trends and sales volume.
• Monitor sales of key items and make adjustments based on competitor market pricing and advertising.
• Manage every day and seasonal assortments of products for all store locations.
• Review and provide direction on deselection of items, addition of new items and placement for planograms.
• Negotiate advertising, new item and placement fees with vendors.
• Develop key strategies to drive sales, while analyzing market trends of new and existing items.
• Deliver AOP Sales and Gross Profit targets.
• Forecast and place timely orders of key ad items, seasonal items and warehouse inventory.
• Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, related field or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years buying and merchandising experience preferred.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, quantitative analysis, resource allocation and leadership techniques.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, Outlook.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills including verbal communication, listening, negotiation, problem solving, decision making, and being assertive.
• Must work well in a team environment while being collaborative in research and execution of the team plan.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Professional presence and proper phone and e-mail etiquette is required.
• Sitting/standing at a desk/computer 75% of the time.
• The position requires fine finger and broad manual dexterity.

Work Schedule

The Buyer/Merchandiser is a full-time position.

Benefits Overview

Why You'll Love It Here

• Associate Discount: Enjoy an industry-leading 15% off your grocery purchases for you and your immediate household!
• Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly, providing more frequent access to their funds. Part-time store associates are paid a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Hourly full-time store associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
• Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Better Planning. Better Balance. We provide our associates with their schedules two weeks in advance, offering greater predictability & flexibility.
• Vision & Dental Insurance: Part-time and full-time associates are eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options that are designed to fit your needs.
• Support: Our associates receive support for their total well-being; including 3 weeks of paid parental leave, a fitness reimbursement program offering savings off of fitness membership fees; our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and LEAPCare Care Coaches, which provide associates confidential care related to hospital visitation, conflict resolution, stress management, marriage or divorce, family issues and depression or anxiety.
• Save for Your Future: Offering a 401(k), we're proud to support our associates in planning for retirement. The 401(k) plan empowers associates to save a portion of their paychecks for retirement. Festival Foods has an annual discretionary match to help our associates reach their savings goals.