Associate Category Manager - Deli

Sprouts Farmers Market; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sprouts Farmers Market in Phoenix, AZ is seeking an Associate Category Manager for the Deli to develop and execute customer-focused category strategies. The role owns assortment planning, pricing, promotions, sourcing, and supplier management while partnering with the Deli Director.

This is a hybrid position with office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You will drive category performance, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and lead initiatives to improve profitability and product

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field and at least 3 years in merchandising, category management, buying, or business planning.
• Previous buying, sourcing, or vendor management experience preferred.
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills and a customer-focused mindset.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and reporting tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Complete understanding of P&L statements, margins, and inventory management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Some travel required.

Responsibilities

• Own Category Performance: develop and execute annual and seasonal category plans; manage sales, margin, shrink, and inventory turn.
• Lead Category Strategy & Execution: manage assortment planning, pricing, promotions, merchandising, and product lifecycle.
• Drive Innovation & Customer Focus: identify trends; work with suppliers to develop products and programs; lead evaluations and launches.
• Manage Supplier Partnerships: build relationships; support negotiations and promotional planning; ensure product quality and availability.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: lead cross-functional teams with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and more; support category execution.

Skills

Analytical

Financial analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Reporting tools

Job description

Overview

Associate Category Manager - Deli is responsible for the development and execution of customer‑focused category strategies for assigned Deli categories. This position owns all aspects of category performance including assortment planning, product innovation, merchandising, pricing, promotions, sourcing, and supplier management while partnering with the Deli Director on broader department initiatives. The role is based in Phoenix with a hybrid schedule: office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Responsibilities

Own Category Performance

• Develop and execute annual and seasonal category plans aligned with department and company objectives
• Own sales, margin, shrink, and inventory turn performance for assigned categories
• Monitor business performance and proactively identify opportunities and risks
• Utilize data, reporting, and customer insights to drive category decisions
• Develop and implement action plans to achieve financial objectives

Lead Category Strategy & Execution

• Own assortment planning, pricing, promotion, merchandising, and product lifecycle management for assigned categories
• Manage item introductions, product transitions, category reviews, and resets
• Evaluate product performance and make assortment recommendations that improve customer experience and financial performance
• Partner with operations teams to ensure effective execution in stores
• Support new store openings and category expansion initiatives

Drive Innovation & Customer Focus

• Identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive opportunities
• Partner with suppliers and cross‑functional teams to develop new products and programs
• Lead product evaluations, testing, and launch activities
• Continuously improve assortment productivity and differentiation

Manage Supplier Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with supplier partners
• Support negotiations, business reviews, cost management initiatives, and promotional planning
• Work closely with suppliers to improve product quality, packaging, service levels, and innovation
• Collaborate with sourcing and supply chain teams to ensure consistent product availability

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Lead and participate in cross‑functional project teams
• Partner with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, Supply Chain, Finance, Food Safety, and Procurement teams to execute category strategies
• Provide stores with information, tools, and guidance that support successful category execution
• Organize and participate in meetings, workshops, and supplier presentations to support business objectives

Qualifications

• Preferred bachelor's degree in business or related field with a minimum of three (3) years of merchandising, category management, buying, or business planning experience
• Previous buying, sourcing, or vendor management experience preferred
• Requires long‑term strategic and financial planning skills and a customer‑focused mindset
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem‑solving skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and reporting tools
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
• Complete understanding of P&L statements, margins, and inventory management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Some travel required

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Sick time plan to support your health and the health of immediate family
• Vacation accrual plan
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Company‑paid life insurance

• 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. DailyPay allows you to see how much you’ve made every day and to transfer your money any time before payday. Learn more at https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

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.

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