Produce Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Produce Merchandising

NW Supermarkets, Inc.

Pacific Northwest Region (Travel / Remote)

Compensation: $61,000 - $70,800

The Director of Produce Merchandising leads the strategic direction, assortment planning, pricing, promotional execution, and overall category performance for produce. This role is responsible for driving sales growth, margin improvement, product quality, and customer satisfaction through compelling merchandising strategies, strong supplier partnerships, and close collaboration with operations and finance. The ideal candidate brings deep produce expertise, strong business acumen, and the ability to connect corporate strategy with field execution.

NW Supermarkets, Inc. is a family-owned grocery company that has served communities since 1987. With 8 locations across the Pacific Northwest, the company is dedicated to delivering a trusted, high-quality shopping experience rooted in local connection, community support, and operational excellence. Guided by the tagline “Family Owned, Locally Committed,” NW Supermarkets empowers local store leadership and associates to serve the unique needs of their communities while staying connected through a shared commitment to customers, kids, and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead produce department merchandising strategies, including assortment, pricing, promotions, and seasonal planning.
• Analyze sales, margin, shrink, and customer trends to identify opportunities and improve performance.
• Build strong vendor and grower partnerships that support innovation and local sourcing.
• Lead and develop the team while ensuring compliance with food safety and company standards.
• Travel required: 80%**

**Note that the address on job posting is our corporate office, but this job requires frequent travel. Some flexibility to work from home when not traveling.

What We Want This Role to Accomplish

• Differentiate NW Supermarkets through a fresh, locally relevant produce experience.
• Drive sales growth, margin improvement, and shrink reduction through disciplined category management.
• Create greater consistency across locations while preserving flexibility for local market needs.
• Build a long-term produce strategy that strengthens customer loyalty and competitive advantage.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in produce merchandising, category management, buying, or related grocery retail leadership roles.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and influencing cross-functional partners.
• Strong knowledge of produce merchandising, seasonal planning, pricing strategy, inventory management, and category performance metrics.
• Proven ability to analyze financial and operational data and turn insights into effective business actions.
• Experience working with suppliers, growers, distributors, and internal business stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lift, push, pull up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and to prioritize activities under pressure. Able to work on your feet for 8+ hours. Ability to adhere to all food and safety protocols and procedures.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in grocery retail, fresh foods, or other high-volume perishable categories.
• Knowledge of local sourcing strategies, consumer trends, and fresh category innovation.
• Experience with merchandising systems, forecasting tools, retail analytics platforms, and promotional planning processes.
• Advanced degree or additional professional training in merchandising, business, or retail management.

What We Offer

• Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Daily Travel Per Diem
• Company Computer

Role Impact

This position plays a critical role in shaping the customer experience and business performance of one of the most visible and dynamic areas of the store. The Director of Produce Merchandising ensures the produce category delivers freshness, value, innovation, and operational excellence while supporting broader company growth and merchandising objectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NW Supermarkets, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. NW Supermarkets, Inc. makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the associates assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified which may vary within each store and/or from store to store.