Associate Category Manager

Job Summary Manage the strategic development and planning for assigned category, as a subset of a larger group of categories led by the Senior Category Manager. Ensure category sales plans are consistent with the overall Merchandising strategy. Promote and verify execution of category strategy at the store, and ensure the category fits into the total store perspective. Key Duties And Responsibilities Assist the Senior Category Manager to develop, manage and communicate sales plans for the overall category. Complete entry for national sales planning tool, including de-averaged costs/retail, and new/expanded items/offers. Ensure marketing and POP are developed for categories for monthly sales plan; proof monthly solicitation for accuracy, make recommendations as necessary to support development of regional POP item forecasts. Support Product Director and Senior Category Manager on day‑to‑day activities that include Strategic Pricing team as well as supporting Senior Category Manager in preparing for and engaging in vendor meetings related to product assortment architecture and cost of goods negotiations. Assist the Senior CM in developing and executing strategic merchandising initiatives such as roles and intents of categories and segmentation. Support the Senior CM in executing vendor and product‑specific strategies. Assist Senior CM in managing vendor relationships as requested. Collaborate with Logistics and Senior Category Manager to ensure stable supply within the demand chain, including close collaboration with Logistics team/partners. Additionally, assist Senior Category Manager with product quality attributes and ensuring products deliver on quality/value needs of customers. Monitor, execute and verify category offers, costs, bill‑backs, allowances, terms, co‑op media and other related opportunities; coordinate and communicate with Senior Category Manager. Ensure proper information is provided to suppliers including product costs, bill‑back, allowances, discounts, routing information, new item set‑up details and new vendor set‑up details. Assist Senior CM with forecasting activities including historic sales, store returns, seasonality and cannibalization for all categories as requested by the Senior CM, coordinating with the Merchandiser and Category Specialist. Lead national schematics under guidance of the Senior CM. Coordinate with Merchandiser to ensure regional sets are developed and in line with the national strategy. Review strategy and decisions with the Senior CM before implementation. Track all key sales metrics (sales/group/unit/margin) for categories as requested by the Senior CM. Analyze and share insights with Senior Category Manager, Product Director, Zone Leader and other Operations leadership to drive improved results and enhance understanding of the business. Evaluate SSI and NRIs for further testing or expansion to ensure the optimal recommended assortment. Review recommendations with Senior CM for implementation. Assist Senior CM in optimizing Gross Profit dollars. Conduct ongoing financial analysis of national sets by evaluating product SKU productivity. Develop and oversee in‑store testing of potential new products, concepts and promotional activity. Optimize display management opportunities within assigned category and assigned zones. Support testing activity including preparation/delivery of communication materials, tracking of results/feedback to test areas/stores, verification in stores/Franchise feedback. Assist integration of roles and intents and segmentation into assortment decisions at the national and regional level. Work with vendors to introduce or expand new/existing items based on store and customer segments while retracting items in underperforming segments to optimize overall assortment. Coordinate SEE vendor sponsorships, samplings, and other events on a national and regional level for categories supported. Rework and troubleshoot outputs (decisions on proposed items, item setup, etc.) and handle requests from accounting. Provide point‑of‑view to Operational leadership based on CSA/marketplace understanding; be an advocate for customer across the category. Assist Senior CM to communicate requirements, volume changes/sales plan, and other key sales plan information to Division Logistics Manager/Logistics team and coordinate readiness for delivery. Assist the Senior CM in communicating integrated sales plans (national/zone) and ensure comprehensive delivery of necessary facts/data/SOP. Coach Operations regarding best merchandising practices for the category; describe how to sell and what is cost/benefit. Education And Experience Bachelor’s / 4‑Year Degree Years of relevant work experience: 2+ years Years of management experience: NA Specific Knowledge And Skills Experience – 2+ years of experience Strong analytical skills, effective communication, negotiating experience Understanding of financial methodology to determine costs and to develop annual business plan *Position not eligible for sponsorship* #J-18808-Ljbffr 7-Eleven