Category Manager

Stater Bros. Markets; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stater Bros. Markets is seeking a Category Manager for Produce to drive profitable growth through accurate item setup, pricing, promotional planning, and merchandising execution.

You’ll collaborate with cross-functional partners and vendors to ensure store-level success and strong category performance. Based in San Bernardino, the role focuses on day-to-day operations, price maintenance, and data-driven decision making under guidance from Business Development Leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years in Category Management or senior merchandising roles, preferably in grocery.
• Certifications in Category Management (e.g., CPSM) preferred.
• Strong Excel and data-analysis capabilities for reporting and decision support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
• Analytical mindset with ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary day-to-day contact for store operations, vendors, procurement, marketing, and the category team to support profitable growth.
• Use data-driven insights to assist leadership with category performance analysis and strategic decision-making.
• Handle vendor and item setup, maintenance, pricing, and promotions accurately and on time.
• Develop and execute pricing strategies and promotional plans with cross-functional partners.
• Lead vendor negotiations to optimize costs and assortment aligned with strategy.
• Support weekly ad planning and strategy for category-wide initiatives.
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure alignment on sourcing, replenishment, and inventory planning.
• Prepare materials for Joint Business Planning and key reviews with leadership.

Skills

Data analysis

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Leadership

Problem solving

Time management

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Address: 301 S Tippecanoe Avenue

Location:

San Bernardino, CA, US, 92408

Store Number: MAINOFFICE

Sponsorship: 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.

Current employees: please log into our system to apply

Work Schedule: Day

Job Type: Full-Time

Union Position: Non-Union

Employee Pay Type: Salaried

Work Environment: 100% On-Site

Compensation: $96,700.00 – $120,000.00

(this represents the expected pay range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors)

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 execute timely, accurate, and thorough vendor and item setup and maintenance requests to support category operations and execution
• Execute price and cost business 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

Values

• 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.

Learn More

Nearest Major Market: San Bernardino

Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles