Asst Category Manager, Cake

Kroger; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee counseling resources

Associate discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth programs

Job summary

Kroger in Cincinnati, OH is seeking a buyer for a smaller category with CM sign-off. You will help build assortments, manage data with vendors, 84.51, and Our Brands, and assist in pricing and promotions while upholding Kroger values.

You will work on plan-o-grams, monitoring SKU performance, and supporting the CM with budgeting, forecasts, and trend analysis. The role requires 2+ years in replenishment/procurement and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of replenishment buying/procurement experience.
• Proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Make recommendations on assortment/plan-o-grams for a smaller category area with CM sign-off.
• Manage data analysis and day-to-day communication with vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands.
• Validate local requests with data analysis and align on KPIs with the division.
• Support plan-o-gram process and communications.
• Monitor SKU performance and adjust as needed to meet goals.
• Recommend budgets, forecasts, and trends affecting the business.
• Assist CM with assortment work and testing, and ad-hoc analyses.
• Be proficient across systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.).
• Support promotional strategy to engage customers.
• Review ad performance and shelf data to inform promotions.
• Assist in supply chain issue resolution and replenishment guidance.
• Organize information sharing with vendors.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Organization & multitasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Serve as a buyer of a discrete, smaller category with ultimate sign-off from the category manager (CM). Assist category managers with the tactical work in building assortments, managing KOMPASS process, executing pricing/promotions, and gathering/analyzing data. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Make recommendations on assortment/plan-o-grams for a smaller category area of responsibility, including potential adds/deletes, and engage CM as needed for perspective and final sign-off
• Manage data analysis and day-to-day communication with vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands, and divisions for discrete area; ensure all inputs are gathered in a timely and comprehensive manner
• Validate local requests with data analysis and align on jointly-defined KPIs with the division
• Support plan-o-gram process, including organizing templates and PCOE communications
• Monitor SKU performance on an ongoing assortment to meet financial and strategic goals; establish feedback loop with CM to inform of potential adjustments
• Make recommendations on category budgets, forecasts, and plans; identify trends in business and competitive landscape that may affect health of business
• Support assortment work and testing process for CMs
• Assist with ad-hoc analysis to drive business forward, such as to evaluate decisions to deviate from pricing algorithm recommendations or react to competitor price moves or cost changes
• Be proficient across all systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.)
• Support CM in driving promotional strategy to engage customers and drive excitement
• Review past ad performance and information on shelf capacity, store sales, and display locations to inform future promotional recommendations
• Assist in supply chain issue resolution with replenishment; update CMs before regular checkpoints and engage as needed to provide direction
• Organize and manage information sharing with vendor, including product lists /SKU information, directional forecast needs, etc
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• 2+ years of experience with replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store assistant leader, operations or brand management
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent oral/written communication skills

Desired

• Bachelor's Degree
• Any replenishment buying/procurement experience
• Any division store management experience
• Any exposure to Kroger Category Management Systems, Business Objects, Enterprise Sales Planning (ESP) and 84.51 sciences
• Strong organization and multi-tasking skills

Job Info

• Job Identification 233826
• Job Category Category Management/Merchandising
• Posting Date 09/25/2026, 05:20 PM
• Locations 1014 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, US (On-site)

Benefits

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you.