Assistant Category Manager

Love's Travel Stops; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Competitive pay

Job summary

Love's Travel Stops in Oklahoma City is seeking an Assistant Category Manager to support merchandising strategies across assigned product categories in a fast-paced convenience store environment. You will work closely with field merchandising, marketing, replenishment, analytics, purchasing, and space planning teams to develop and implement tactical plans aligned with business objectives.

You will coordinate with external partners to maintain product assortment, execute resets, and track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field preferred.
• HS Diploma or equivalent required.
• 1-2 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or related field.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; merchandising/replenishment systems is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with data interpretation and actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day category management activities, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure execution of merchandising strategies.
• Coordinate new product introductions and execute item and planogram maintenance.
• Facilitate vendor meetings and promotional planning.
• Oversee rebate management to optimize category performance.
• Participate in weekly collaboration calls with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of strategies.
• Lead weekly and monthly business reviews, providing insights into category performance and recommending adjustments as needed.
• Support the execution of special projects, including store task creation and other category-specific initiatives.
• Resolve vendor service issues promptly, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Collect and analyze data on sales, pricing, margin, and product proposals to support category reviews and decision-making processes.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing

HS Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Merchandising systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Benefits

• Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance the first of the month after 30 days
• Competitive Pay

Welcome to Love's

The Assistant Category Manager is responsible for supporting and executing merchandising strategies across assigned product categories within a fast-paced convenience store environment. The Merchandising Planner ensures product offerings are optimized to meet customer needs, drive sales, and maintain profitability. Working closely with field merchandising, marketing, replenishment, analytics, purchasing, and space planning teams. The Merchandising Planner helps develop and implement tactical plans that align with business objectives. The Merchandising Planner also coordinates with external partners to maintain product assortment, execute resets, and track performance.

Job Functions

• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day category management activities, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure execution of merchandising strategies
• Coordinate new product introductions and execute item and planogram maintenance
• Facilitate vendor meetings and promotional planning
• Oversee rebate management to optimize category performance
• Participate in weekly collaboration calls with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of strategies
• Lead weekly and monthly business reviews, providing insights into category performance and recommending adjustments as needed
• Support the execution of special projects, including store task creation and other category-specific initiatives
• Resolve vendor service issues promptly, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with all stakeholders
• Collect and analyze data on sales, pricing, margin, and product proposals to support category reviews and decision-making processes

Education And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field preferred
• HS Diploma or equivalent required
• 1-2 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or a related field, ideally within the retail or convenience store industry
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with merchandising or replenishment systems is a plus
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make actionable recommendations

Skills And Typical Physical Demands

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, robust Excel capabilities
• Ability to work within a fast-paced environment
• Self-motivated
• Keen attention to detail
• Excellent oral and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects and work cross-functionally
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify relevant data sources, interpret data, and make actionable recommendations
• Scheduling flexibility and travel availability as role/projects require
• Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping
• Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
• Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Our Culture

Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award-winning culture.

Love's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.