Category Manager

Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for the selection of vendors, items, programs and services to generate sales and drive financial growth across Company retail locations. This role manages the ongoing implementation, execution, maintenance and measurement of all elements within the product categories. The Category Manager is also responsible for maintaining and growing category margin and units.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage all category expenditures and budgeted targets; manage variances and communicate developments in performance and trends to management. Create action plans for improvement or continuation of positive performance and results.
• Monitor the industry and competitive landscape. Analyze internal data such as sales & pricing. Identify patterns and market trends to refine product strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally by developing and maintaining key business relationships and communication with Operations, Marketing, Finance and outside vendors or suppliers to effectively manage existing and implement new products, programs and category initiatives.
• Manage key vendor relationships including, but not limited to, contract negotiations, rebate processing and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Serves market segments and specific product needs by responding to consumer requests and trends.
• Works with Operational field management to grow the category through effective programs that enhance brand image.
• Increase sales revenue and profit by promotional concepts and overlay programs; develops a category plan.
• Maintains accountability for the financial performance of the category; analyzes trends and reevaluates pricing strategy or cost-of-goods structure as necessary.
• Represents the category in various cross-functional meetings and manages ad hoc special projects for the category as necessary.
• Stays current with legislation and regulation changes or requirements that may affect a product or service in our geographies.
• Works with leadership to create cost-reduction strategies and savings plan.
• Responsible for price-book management including new item setup, price change notification, discontinued item notification, maintenance and promotional activities for assigned departments.
• Responsible for plan-o-gram development. Beverage and Tobacco Category Managers will develop and maintain plan-o-grams in-house (JDA, Spaceman, Apollo). Center of store plan-o-grams will be developed & produced with Grocery Supply.
• Procure and install merchandising fixtures required for assigned categories.
• Responsible for in-market activity including new store set-up, resets and promotional activity execution.
• Category managers will be responsible for assisting in the delivery and installation of merchandise components to include tobacco/otp fixtures, sales floor gondolas, vault shelves, uprights and glides.
• Supports and facilitates organizational changes, continuous improvement and communication.
• Establishes and fosters relationships with management and all team members that will enable the Category Manager function to be viewed as an integral part of the business.
• Embodies personal leadership qualities through the following: Be in the moment to ensure authentic and humanistic interactions. Continuously volunteers discretionary effort and models desired behaviors to drive business results while also leveraging and respecting separate realities. Be curious in interactions, has courageous conversations with others when needed, and takes personal accountability for all responsibilities.
• Demonstrates and embodies the following company values throughout the course of employment: 1) Guest Ready, 2) Honor & Value, 3) Quick, Clean & Convenient, 4) Ownership, 5) Team-Focused.
• Possesses a service mindset; strives to achieve experiences worth repeating.
• Participates in and follows all Toot'n Totum policies, guidelines and procedures (Safety, Anti-Harassment, Ethics, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Possess an understanding of the retail customer, preferably within a convenience, grocery or truck stop channel.
• Effective project management skills; experience at managing organization change to deliver planned results to all stakeholders.
• Effective critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills; strong business acumen and curiosity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills; strong self-concept and ability to make decisions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; keen attention to detail.
• Requires rapid and thorough decision making and creative problem-solving skills, good judgment as well as the ability to accept personal accountability for areas of responsibility.
• Acts with integrity and professionalism.
• Experience with MS Office suite; intermediate to advanced knowledge of MS Excel preferred.
• Strong accounting skills and ability to interpret complex financial data preferred.
• Experience managing others preferred but not required.
• 25% Travel is required; irregular hours, day travel on a regular basis, overnight travel
• Irregular hours and weekends will be required according to the needs of the business.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field preferred but not required
• 5 years of experience in merchandising, category management, sales and/or vendor management preferred but not required.
• PDI University classes for price book will be required, in addition to space management software training. Training will be paid for by the company.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk/hear, push/pull, climb, bend/stoop, crouch/kneel/crawl, taste/smell, balance, twist/reach, carry, grasp with hands, squat, drive and use keyboard.
• Ability to push, lift and pull up to 50lbs on occasion.
• Ability to move and position self to operate under, near and around merchandise components, fixtures gondolas, vault shelves, uprights & glides, etc.
• Position requires grasping and utilizing manual dexterity including hand/finger coordination and the utilization of color vision.
• Hearing Requirements: Ability to hear alarms, communication equipment, verbal instructions, machinery & area specific items.
• Cognitive Requirements: Basic or Complex reading, writing and math skills. Basic or Complex speech skills; must be able to speak, read, write & understand the English language, clerical tasks, memorization, analytical skills, function under stress & make independent decisions.
• Vision Requirements: General vision requirements in addition to close vision (<20 inches), Distance Vision (>20 feet), color vision and peripheral vision.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

Toot'n Totum and its affiliated companies provides a drug-free workplace.

Toot'n Totum and its affiliated companies are an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran). Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.