Category Manager

Stater Bros. Markets, Inc.; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Stater Bros. Markets in San Bernardino, CA, seeks a Category Manager for Produce to coordinate with business development, merchandising, and vendors to drive profitable category growth and execution excellence.

The CM will manage item setup, pricing, promotions, and ad planning with cross-functional teams, using data-driven insights to optimize store-level performance and compliance. Travel to regional offices and production facilities as needed and collaborate with leadership to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered
• 3+ years in Category Management or senior Merchandising, Pricing, Promotional Planning, Procurement, or Data Analytics; grocery experience preferred
• Professional certification in Category Management is a plus
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to influence stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Valid driver’s license required

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary day-to-day contact for store ops, vendors, Distribution, Procurement, Marketing, Merchandising, etc. supporting growth and coordination
• Lead data-driven category reviews, ad planning, and vendor negotiations
• Oversee item setup, pricing updates, and promotions in collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Develop pricing strategies and promotional plans with the Pricing and Promotional Planning Team
• Build and monitor promotions with the Promotional Planning Team to support sales goals
• Coordinate with vendors and data integrity to maintain compliance documents

Skills

Category management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Vendor management

Excel

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Excel

Pricing systems

Merchandising tools

Job description

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DEPARTMENT:

Marketing

JOB SUMMARY:

The Category Manager (CM) Produce serves as a primary contact for cross-functional partners and vendors, driving reliable operational coordination to support profitable category growth and execution excellence. Operating with guidance and direction from Business Development Leadership, this role focuses on the accurate, timely execution of day-to-day business processes, including item setup, price and cost maintenance, promotional entry, and merchandising plans.

Utilizing a collaborative, data-centric approach, the CM supports leadership in category reviews, ad planning, and vendor negotiations to ensure store-level success, inventory flow, and compliance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for store operations, vendors, Distribution, Procurement, Marketing, Merchandising, and the broader category team to support profitable growth, execution excellence, and reliable coordination
• Apply a curious, data-centric approach to support Business Development Leadership in strategic decision-making and category performance analysis
• Manage and executetimely,accurate, and thorough vendor and item setup and maintenance requests to support category operations and execution
• Execute price andcostbusiness processes accurately and on time, including condition records and contract-related updates
• Maintain and execute pricing strategies and promotional updates, working under the direction of Business Development Leadership and in partnership with the Pricing and Promotional Planning Team to support category objectives
• Build, submit, monitor, and maintain promotions in partnership with the Promotional Planning Team to support sales and execution goals
• Conduct in-store competitor price surveys to support pricing analysis, market awareness, and strategic decision-making
• Travel to regional offices, farms, production facilities, fields, etc. as needed to support strategic partnerships
• Support Business Development Leadership with category reviews, analysis, and cross-functional projects that advance business priorities
• Prepare strategic meeting materials for Joint Business Planning, Top-to-Top, and key business reviews
• Execute merchandising plans and schematic assortments under the guidance of Business Development Leadership, ensuring accurate implementation that aligns with the established category strategy and store-level requirements
• Approve and execute price changes while managing and monitoring overrides to maintain pricing accuracy and control
• Lead vendor negotiations to secure favorable costs, promotional support, and assortment aligned with category strategy, working under the direction of Business Development Leadership with guidance as needed
• Manage product allocation and distribution plans for retail stores to support inventory flow, assortment needs, and in-stock performance
• Develop strategic weekly ad plans by selecting items, offers, and timing that support sales growth, seasonal priorities, and customer relevance
• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain to align sourcing, replenishment, service levels, and inventory planning with category priorities
• Coordinate with vendors and Data Integrity to maintain current compliance documentation, including ReposiTrak requirements
• Represent the brand at industry events to build relationships, identify opportunities, and gather insights that inform category strategy
• Model company values in authentic and caring ways that support the brand promise and strengthen team collaboration
• Perform other duties and assignments as needed to support business priorities and operational requirements

For fresh categories:

• Drive innovation, monitor trends, and recommend customer-focused items with consideration for recipes, labor efficiency, shrink, and store execution
• Develop, update, and support recipe and procedural SOPs for retail store execution to drive consistency, quality, labor efficiency, and shrink control

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered
• 3+ years of proven success in Category Management or equivalent senior-level experience in Merchandising, Pricing, Promotional Planning, Procurement, or Data Analytics; Grocery industry experience highly preferred
• Professional certification in Category Management (e.g., CPSM, Certified Category Manager) preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including strong Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and decision support
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategies clearly
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and data-driven problem-solving skills
• Proven track record of managing multiple priorities and consistently meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively, build consensus, and influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally
• Demonstrate curiosity, accountability, and a growth mindset; actively foster innovation, mentors others, and drives disciplined execution
• Must possess and maintain a Valid Driver's License where driving is required to perform the essential functions of the position, including the authorized operation of Company loaner vehicles

Additional Information:

Applications will be received until a sufficient number of applications are received.

All communications regarding the selection process will be conducted via telephone or e-mail. Applicants are strongly encouraged to monitor their e-mail regularly and remain attentive to incoming phone calls to ensure they do not miss important updates related to this recruitment.

Please note: Stater Bros. Markets is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Join our team and make a difference.

Be a part of a team that makes a difference in the communities we serve.

• We value and appreciate our teammates.
• We treat others like we want to be treated.
• We like to challenge the status quo and are actively embracing change.
• We are a team that fosters open communication.
• We have fun and celebrate our teammate’s achievements and failures.

Nearest Major Market: San Bernardino
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles