Category Manager II - HBC/GM

Lunds & Byerlys; Edina (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Lunds & Byerlys is seeking a Full Time Category Manager II- HBC/GM in Edina, MN to lead category goals for GM and HBC departments, including Living Wise wellness concepts. You will collaborate to set annual objectives, develop standards, and drive category management initiatives across locations.

The role requires strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and strong analytics to optimize profitability and product assortment. Onsite work at the corporate office is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, food services or equivalent.
• Three or more years retail, category management and/or buying experience.
• Proven ability to make effective decisions grounded in data and analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to create merchandising plans grounded in commonly adopted merchandising theory and best practices.
• Understanding of the retail category development process and how it relates to achieving objectives.
• Proficient with syndicated data and consumer panel information (Nielsen RWS & Spins Data preferred).
• Aptitude in financial reporting with proven success in a results driven environment.
• LFHI competencies: action oriented, communicates effectively, customer focus and instills trust.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in establishing the strategic vision for assigned product areas including trends, merchandising, pricing profitability and sales objectives.
• Collaborate with the category team to set annual and quarterly sales and profit objectives and provide location coaching.
• Oversee and contribute to seasonal product promotional plans and monitor performance.
• Review financial reports to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve efficiency.
• Develop communication models to keep stakeholders informed and involved.
• Coordinate new product introductions with training on preparation, pricing, promotion and marketing.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Merchandising planning

Financial reporting

Customer service

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Category management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, food services or equivalent

Tools

Outlook

Excel

Word

Job description

Join Lunds & Byerlys as a Full Time Category Manager II- HBC/GM and take the next exciting step in your career!

COMPENSATION AND WORK ARRANGEMENT

The role has a starting salary range of $80,000-$116,000 per year. This role is also eligible to participate in short term incentive compensation program of up to 10% of base salary, earned based on achieved role specific and company metrics.

This position works 5 days a week onsite at our corporate office in downtown Edina.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Lunds & Byerlys is committed to taking care of the employees who take care of our customers. We are committed to creating work environments centered around the values of hospitality, teamwork, and opportunity. Lunds & Byerlys is committed to providing equal opportunities to all interested and qualified candidates. Our culture is based in teamwork, innovation, and respect. These words are not just tossed around. They are at the core of who we are as a Star Tribune Top Workplace 2019-2026.

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members. Our benefits include competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with various health spending and savings accounts. We provide supplemental free on-demand healthcare and generous paid time off. Additionally, team members can take advantage of 401(k) matching and other value-added benefits focused on overall health and wellness.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for ensuring the accomplishment of category goals and establishing standards and operating objectives for the GM and HBC departments including our Living Wise wellness concept. Accountabilities include collaborating with category team to establish annual and quarterly business objectives and operating standards, communicating objectives and standards to category staff, collaborating and assisting in the development of location specific objectives to ensure the accomplishment of operating objectives and standards. This position includes category management work encompassing category management principles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following description of work to be performed by this individual is not intended to be all-inclusive. Rather, it focuses on the major tasks that must be accomplished. There are many necessary activities to satisfy any of the following performance guidelines.

• Provide leadership in the area of establishing the strategic vision and direction for the assigned product areas incorporating consumer food trends, competitive developments, merchandising, product offerings, pricing profitability and sales objectives that are supportive of and contribute to the achievement of the company’s strategic goal and key initiatives
• Collaborate with the category team in establishing annual and quarterly sales and profit objectives for each location and provide location specific coaching to ensure accomplishment of established objectives
• Oversee and contribute to seasonal product promotional plans for each operation; provide training to ensure understanding; monitor performance to ensure success
• Review financial performance reports and analyze and interpret data to identify opportunities to obtain cost savings objectives through efficient planning of resources, including labor
• Develop communication models that ensure key stakeholders have information, tools, resources and the appropriate level of involvement in decisions, programs and strategies that affect them
• Coordinate the implementation of new product introductions, ensuring training on product preparation, presentation, pricing, promotion and marketing is completed to ensure the successful launch of all new products
• Monitor product quality to ensure recipe ingredient, preparation and presentation specifications are followed and that operations are in compliance with food quality and food safety standards
• Develop and maintain strong business building relationships with key customer contacts while working in a team environment utilizing cross-functional organizational resources.
• Negotiate vendor programs, services and costs to improve profitability and enhance our customer’s shopping experience.
• Develop and manage the assortment within our Living Wise wellness store concept.
• Serve as the subject matter expert to identify and launch trend-forward products in the wellness categories.
• Monitor pricing integrity to ensure maintenance of appropriate margins, price consistency among locations, and accomplishment of profitability objectives.
• Provide recommendations achieving lowest product cost within assigned categories while meeting or exceeding consumer needs and expectations. Actively support store brand product selection and provide appropriate margin recommendations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education
   1. Bachelor’s degree in business, food services or equivalent
2. Experience
   1. Three (3) or more years retail, category management and/or buying experience
   1. preferred in GM/HBC/Wellness categories
   2. Proven ability to make effective decisions grounded in data and analytics
   3. Demonstrated ability to create merchandising plans grounded in commonly adopted merchandising theory and best practices
   4. Understanding of the retail category development process and how it relates to achieving objectives.
   5. Proficient with syndicated data and consumer panel information
   1. Nielsen RWS & Spins Data preferred.
   6. Aptitude in financial reporting with proven success in a results driven environment
3. LFHI Competencies expected of all employees include: action oriented, communicates effectively, customer focus and instills trust.
4. Other required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   1. Service-oriented individual with a high energy, positive and friendly demeanor
   2. Ability to respond to continually changing priorities and coordinate multiple projects
   3. Strong computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Word)
   4. Excellent customer service, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills
   5. Strategic planning and creative concept planning skills
   6. Understanding vendors “go to market” trade fund strategies
   7. Ability to leverage consumer insights to maximize trade fund to drive top line sales
   8. Project management, sound judgment and decision making abilities
   9. Understanding of operating budgets to accomplish financial goals
   10. Demonstrates strong leadership skills and a collaborative, consensus-building approach to maximizing team performance.
   11. Ability to identify issues and determine solutions to continually enhance work environment as well as store operations
   12. Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English

COMPENSATION DISCLAIMER

The actual rate of pay offered within the range may depend on several factors such as skills, knowledge, expertise, and experience. Our organization also considers internal equity when making job offers. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.

ABOUT LUNDS & BYERLYS

Family-owned for over 80 years, Lunds & Byerlys is a grocery retailer rooted in the family tradition of quality, value, and service. Not only do we offer convenient, healthy, and contemporary delectables, we believe in giving our grocery customers the same personal attention and exceptional value we would expect for our own family. Our employees are chosen for their expertise and dedication in giving our grocery customers the best shopping experience possible. Which is why we offer competitive wages, great benefits and perks, and an amazing company culture.