Category Manager (Deli & Prepared Foods)

Schnuck Markets, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Schnuck Markets, Inc. is seeking a Category Manager in St. Louis, MO. You will develop category plans, set pricing, source products, and optimize assortment to meet sales and margin goals.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage vendor contracts, and translate data into actionable merchandising strategies. The role requires 5+ years in food/beverage or category management with strong analytical and negotiation skills. This is a hybrid in-office role with an initial learning period.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 5–8 years in foods/beverages or retailer category management experience
• Experience obtaining procurement of significant revenue and margin targets
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills with data-driven decision making

Responsibilities

• Creates category plans, pricing, product assortment and shelf plans aligned to performance goals
• Negotiates with suppliers on pricing, promotions, and rebates; manages vendor contracts
• Develops long-term strategic plans for category growth; leverages customer data for assortment decisions
• Collaborates with sales/merchandising for in-store placement and cross-promotions
• Monitors category financials and drives actions to meet budget and profitability targets
• Oversees shrink/inventory considerations in stores and warehouses
• Develops Own Brand items and local seasonal products across markets

Skills

Category management

Pricing strategy

Vendor negotiations

Merchandising

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Own Brand

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Deals Portal

Item Maintenance

Efficient Promotions

Category Planning Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Category Manager is responsible for developing category plans and strategies that deliver on category sales and margin goals. This candidate will establish pricing, sourcing, and merchandising standards for a wide portfolio of products that meet the objectives of the company. The Category Manager position should have prior buying and/ preferably category management experience. They will focus on developing insights, identifying opportunities, and communicating recommendations on assigned categories to lead future growth. The individual in this role will manage assigned business units (categories) with the objective to meet or exceed corporate financial objectives for top line sales, total profit dollars, market share, TIL, and inventory management.

The Category Manager achieves these objectives through the execution of pricing strategies, product/assortment selection, effective go-to-market strategies, Own Brand product development, assortment optimization, promotional planning, and shelf placement strategies as well as the development and implementation of innovative merchandising strategies.

This role requires 5 days in office for up to 6 months to learn the role and then will be able to shift to 4 days a week in office and 1 day remote. This role is located in St Louis, Missouri.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates and implements pricing, product assortment and shelf plans for each assigned category based on detailed analysis of past performance, results, industry best practices and consumer trends; Develops go to market recommendations and strategies for assigned categories and cross promotions with other categories; Manages promotional and plans for assigned categories and vendors; Manages vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding; Works directly with vendors to negotiate programing, costing, and supplier funding
• Creates long term strategic plans regarding category and company growth based on category roles; Develops, creates, and recommends alternative solutions for profitable sales growth; Incorporates customer data to effectively plan assortment and product mix improvements; Creates and communicates clear, impactful selling stories to all levels within the organization using data compiled from various internal and external sources
• Works with sales team/field merchandiser teammates to ensure impactful and timely placement of promotional products in retail locations
• Negotiates and collaborates with suppliers for pricing, product assortment, promotion, print ads, services, loyalty, digital marketing, promotional calendars, and labor-optimized displays
• Reviews category financials weekly/monthly and reacts as necessary to ensure Financial Budget and strategic blue chip goals are achieved to exceed sales and profit expectations
• Manages shrink and inventory loss in stores and the warehouses
• Researches, develops and implements Own Brand items, relevant local products, seasonal merchandise across all markets in which we compete
• Manages shrink and inventory loss in stores and the warehouses

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Other Requirements: 5-8 years of food/beverage industry experience or 5-8 years of experience working directly with retailer category management functions (Industry buyer and category management experiences can coincide or be combined for total experience and background). Responsible for procurement directly or indirectly of at least 50 million dollars.
• Minimum Years of Experience: 5 to 8 years

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Ability to read, interpret and write financial reports
• Sound understanding of Microsoft Office, Google, and key merchandising and system tools and resources
• Sound understanding of internally developed computer solutions (Deals Portal, Item Maintenance, Efficient Promotions, Category Planning Tools, etc.)
• Stays current with market and consumer trends; Understands competitive landscape and market share data; Expertise in assigned categories and all Food/Grocery in general
• Ability to manage categories to achieve financial targets and strategic goals
• Knowledge of customer centric retailing principles and the analytics of customer purchase behavior; Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the food/beverage industry

Skills & Abilities

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and accountability; Results oriented
• Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, scheduling, and time management; Ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong negotiations skills with ability to develop and grow strategic supplier partner relationships
• Integrity, ability to maintain security of highly confidential and sensitive information
• Excellent professional communication and interpersonal skills

FORMAL POLICY SETTING

Makes recommendations to management

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Walking

• Less than ½ Day

Standing

• Less than ½ Day

Lifting

• Up to 25 lbs.

Travel

• 0-25%
• Travel to and between stores and markets as well as to selected domestic and International Trade Shows and Vendor/Supplier facilities when necessary. Standing/Walking through stores and manufacturing plants is necessary.

The above statements describe the job’s essential responsibilities and requirements. They are not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be assigned to job incumbents.