Associate Manager, Category - Food

Pilot Company; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

FSAs

Weekly pay

401K match

Tuition assistance

Adoption assistance

PTO

Fuel discount

Job summary

Pilot Company is seeking a Category Management professional to support the category team by tracking sales trends and margin, coordinating product distribution, and preparing category reviews.

The role involves analyzing performance, creating reports, and overseeing projects from idea phase to in-store execution while collaborating with vendors and field teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent certification required.
• Bachelor’s degree in retail or business preferred.
• Minimum two years’ retail or similar experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze, think critically, and problem solve.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively within a group.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to think creatively and identify new solutions.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to communicate professionally with all corporate levels, vendors, and customers.
• Comfortable with changing technology.
• Travel required less than 25%, overnight may be required.
• General office work requiring sitting or standing for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Analyze category performance including assortment, pricing, promotions, and price changes.
• Create and maintain reports to track performance and opportunities.
• Oversee projects from idea phase to in-store implementation.
• Manage flow of vendor funding through AR/AP processes.
• Assist in oversight of the category profit and loss.
• Assist in developing annual category business plan.
• Use company data to identify store-level opportunities.
• Participate in vendor negotiations with supervision.
• Deliver clear communication to field teams.
• Maintain competitive awareness of offers and pricing.
• Model behaviors aligned with company purpose and guest focus.
• Ensure activities comply with rules and policies.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Skills

Data analysis

Vendor negotiations

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in retail or business

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

• Position Category: Category Management (CATEGORYMGMT)

Company Description

Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than 30,000 team members and over 750 retail and fueling locations in 43 states and six Canadian provinces. Our energy and logistics division serves as a top supplier of fuel, employing one of the largest tanker fleets and providing critical services to oil operations in our nation's busiest basins. Pilot Company supports a growing portfolio of brands with expertise in supply chain and retail operations, logistics and transportation, technology and digital innovation, construction, maintenance, human resources, finance, sales and marketing.

Founded in 1958 by Jim A. Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and commitment to giving back remains true to us today. Whether we are serving guests, a fellow team member, or a trucking company, we are dedicated to fueling people and keeping North America moving.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Military encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The purpose of this job is to support the category team by tracking sales trends, reviewing margin, monitoring inventory turns, coordinating product distribution, and the preparation of category reviews.

• Provide detailed analysis of assigned category performance including areas of product assortment, pricing, promotions, and price changes
• Create and maintain reports to track performance and identify opportunities against established metrics
• Oversee a project from idea phase through in-store implementation, including execution of total merchandising, distribution, creative, suggested order set-up, etc.
• Manage the flow of vendor funding from planning through the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable processes
• Assist in the oversight of the category profit and loss
• Assist in developing annual category business plan
• Utilize company data and reporting systems to identify and create action plans for store level opportunities
• Participate in vendor negotiations; develop negotiation skills with supervision
• Deliver clear and concise communication to field teams relative to the category
• Maintain strong competitive awareness, including product offers, pricing, and proximity of competitors
• Model behaviors that support the company’s common purpose; ensure guests and team members are supported at the highest level
• Ensure all activities are in compliance with rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent certification required
• Bachelor’s degree in retail or business preferred
• Minimum two years’ retail or similar experience preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to analyze, think critically, and problem solve
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively within a group
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to think creatively and identify new solutions
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to communicate professionally with all corporate levels, vendors, and customers
• Comfortable with changing technology
• Travel required less than 25%, overnight may be required
• General office work requiring sitting or standing for long periods of time

Additional Information

• Nation-wide Medical Plan/Dental/Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Weekly pay
• 401K match
• Tuition Assistance
• Adoption Assistance
• PTO
• Fuel Discount