Associate Category Manager - Produce

Sprouts Farmers Market; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

15% discount on purchases

401(K) Retirement plan with company match

Flexible schedules

Paid holidays

Job summary

Sprouts Farmers Market is looking for an Associate Category Manager in Phoenix, Arizona, responsible for category planning and business strategy execution. You will lead merchandising and product development while working closely with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in business and a minimum of three years of experience in merchandising. This position offers competitive pay, flexible schedules, and excellent growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of merchandising or business planning experience.
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills.
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information and work with strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute customer-focused category plans.
• Manage sales, margin, and turn plan of assigned category.
• Engage with performance reports and utilize data for decision-making.

Skills

Merchandising experience

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Overview

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of a business plan that aligns and delivers against department and company strategies and goals using a customer mindset with oversight from a senior category manager for one category. The Associate Category Manager plans, owns and directs all aspects of assortment planning, product development, merchandising, sourcing, marketing, pricing, and promotions. This position is responsible for the achievement of financial goals through everyday business management and the execution of a long‑term strategic vision that includes a regional market perspective.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long- and short‑range customer focused category plan including contingency plans: Improves upon product innovation, product quality, produce availability, presentation, packaging, costing, and pricing for the purpose of exceeding goals and sustained long term growth.
• Actively manage sales, margin and turn plan of assigned category: Actively anticipates challenges and proactively seeks solutions. Approach with curiosity.
• Engage with all daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports: Balance data with instinct in decision making.
• Competitive analysis: Audit competitive product selection, displays, marketing and pricing through on‑site and online visits and market research. Leverage customer and market insights to ensure that the category strategy is aligned with consumer preferences and evolving market trends.
• Lead cross functional teams: Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships internally and with suppliers. Effective communication and coaching to provide direction on how to deliver category strategy and influence change.
• Provide the stores with relevant data and instructions to make informed decisions and how to maximize profitability.
• Organize and participate in meetings, workshops, conferences for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information to perform functions.
• Support department resets as appropriate.
• Ensure that all federal, state, and company regulations and standards for product freshness, safety, refrigeration, and sanitation are met.
• Utilize senior category manager for guidance and align on strategies and actions.

Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor’s degree in business or related field with a minimum of three years of merchandising or business planning experience.
• Previous buying/negotiating experience preferred.
• Requires long‑term strategic and financial planning skills and a curious mindset.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict periods and resolute deadlines.
• Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins.
• Some travel required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate family's health.
• Vacation accrual plan.
• Opportunities for career growth.
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts.
• Flexible schedules.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
• Company paid life insurance.
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun.

Eligibility Requirements

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance.
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision.
• Health Savings Account with company match.
• Pre‑tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Company paid short‑term disability coverage.
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers.
• Paid holidays.

DailyPay

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay – if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost and get it the next business day, for free. You can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday. See more at https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

About Sprouts

Grow with us! If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high‑quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop‑your‑own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old‑fashioned farmer’s market setting. Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast‑paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Sprouts will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance.

California Residents: We collect information in accordance with California law, please see here for more information.