Category Manager

Houchens Food Group; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houchens Food Group is seeking an energetic Category Manager to develop and grow categories across our retail stores. You will lead category strategy, define assortments, and drive sales and profitability across multiple formats and zones.

This role requires strong communication, analytics, and leadership to guide stores and assistants. The ideal candidate will have 3–6 years in Grocery/Convenience, a Bachelor’s degree, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced retail

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• 3–6 years of Grocery/Convenience Channel experience.
• Strong communication and analytical abilities are essential.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage category strategy across multiple banners/channels/departments.
• Define assortment and product selection to meet targets across channels.
• Identify, develop and procure products to drive performance of assigned categories.
• Sign off on plan-o-grams, display guides and planners before communicating to stores.
• Monitor pricing and drive promotional coverage; adjust assortments as needed.
• Lead and mentor category team members and coordinate with operations.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Organizational skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

OBJECTIVE

To hire an energetic individual to develop categories within our growing retail stores. To develop and grow sales and category goals. Categories can and will vary from center store, dairy, frozen, general merchandise, health & beauty, meat, produce, deli, bakery, etc. This individual should be flexible to the ever-changing environment of retail. The position will manage multiple categories and formats, which will have different gross profit and sales goals for each format and zone within the format. The position will need great interpersonal skills to work with all levels of operations and organization. The position will need to be able to give clear direction to assistants and stores as needed.

• Consulted on the definition of the Category Strategy for their respective Category and ensuring that this strategy aligns with the corporate strategy and meets targeted financial objectives.
• Responsible for the assortment definition and product selection for the banners, channels, countries, and departments they manage, ensuring that the assortment aligns with targets.
• Responsible for identifying, developing, and procuring products to drive the success and performance of their assigned banners/channels/countries/departments (i.e., their “assigned responsibilities”).
• Consulted on all financial and assortment planning activities for their assigned responsibilities. Ensures plans align with the Category Strategy and business objectives, and that buys align with assortment targets.
• Responsible for signing off on all plan-o-grams, display guides, flow guides, and planners for their assigned responsibilities prior to communication to stores.
• Responsible for the selection of all products for their assigned responsibilities that are included in a promotional program. Responsible for ensuring the products are appropriately represented in a promotion.
• Determine the appropriate order quantities for all orders and complete the purchase order worksheet for the administrative assistant to process.
• Maximizes sales and store turns by identifying item assortment changes and display adjustments that could be made to ensure low dating issues and increased sales.
• Responsible for conducting Weekly Business Reviews of their assigned responsibilities. Consulted on the Monthly P&L Performance Reviews of their assigned responsibilities.
• Monitor competitor pricing to ensure stores are competitive within their respective channel.
• Store visits as needed to review category and store needs.
• Consulted on activities related to leading, mentoring, and providing guidance to the Category Team as well as training and developing the Merchandising organization.
• Responsible for identifying potential Merchandising business and systems improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with operations teams to ensure selling plans are executed.
• Receive feedback from operations teams and create action plans to resolve concerns/opportunities.
• Additional projects/duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3-6 years of experience in Grocery/Convenience Channel.

Other Information

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to create, analyze, interpret, and report analysis results.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Able to handle multiple deadlines in a changing environment with a sense of urgency.
• High level of creativity and leadership qualities.
• Exceptional time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Knowledge / Additional Skills / Aptitude

Possess excellent oral and written communication, organizational, analytical, and multi-tasking skills. A self-starter with proven ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. Must demonstrate flexibility, initiative, good judgment, a sense of urgency, and a strong attention to detail. Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint). Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and be able to manage constant organizational change.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

Houchens Food Group is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or pregnancy. Applicants may request accommodations based on religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy.