Category Manager, Lomar Specialty

Hy-Vee; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Category Manager, where your expertise in procurement and merchandising will drive success. In this dynamic role, you'll manage product categories, ensuring optimal quality and pricing while collaborating with suppliers to create impactful marketing strategies. Your contributions will directly enhance customer satisfaction and support the company's mission of providing a helpful smile in every aisle. Embrace this opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced environment, where your skills in communication and problem-solving will shine. If you are passionate about making a difference and ready to take on exciting challenges, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of related work experience in merchandising or procurement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers and team members.

Responsibilities

• Procures and merchandises products for stores to meet customer demands.
• Collaborates with suppliers to develop marketing plans for new items.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Computer Skills

Education

High School Diploma

4-Year Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Forecasting Software

Job description

Additional Considerations (if any):

-

At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

Job Title: Category Manager

Department: Purchasing

FLSA: Exempt

General Function:

Procures and merchandises product for Hy-Vee stores at the best quality/price relationship. Interprets customer, store and distribution demands; provides merchandising opportunities. Manages assigned categories from merchandise procurement through store distribution.

Core Competencies

• Partnerships
• Growth mindset
• Results oriented
• Customer focused
• Professionalism

Reporting Relations:

Accountable and Reports to: Assistant Vice-President

Positions that Report to you: Purchasing Assistant

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains average annual fill rate as agreed upon with department management.
• Communicates all ad out-of-stocks, as well as out-of-stocks on fast moving items to stores.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations for ad offerings and purchasing of ad products to arrive on a just-in-time forecast basis.
• Assists with writing ads and presents offers to ad committee.
• Collaborates with suppliers to procure new merchandise and create marketing plans for new/existing items.
• Responsible for evaluating and implementing inventory reduction strategy as determined by management. Identify new opportunities for private label and develop a merchandising plan for promotion of private label.
• Maintains open communication with suppliers, brokers.
• Identifies and implements backhaul or customer pick-up opportunities.
• Maintains an appropriate number of category reviews to determine best product mix and creates plan-o-gram recommendations for the stores.
• Maintains a ratio of new/discontinued items less than or equal to the number agreed up with department management through SKU rationalization.
• Locates suppliers for items that stores request.
• Reports to work when scheduled and on time.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Procures seasonal items from suppliers for the bi-annual GM shows.
• Performs other job-related duties and special projects as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics:

• Commitment to the Hy-Vee Mission and a willingness to promote the values of the company
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to relate to and interact with other people in a friendly, professional manner
• Ability to identify problems, develop and execute solutions
• Ability to interact with basic computer systems, including word processing, spreadsheet and email applications, as well as job-specific programs

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
• 4-year degree preferred.
• 3-5 years previous related work experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Visual requirements include: ability to see detail at near range with or without correction.
• Must be physically able to perform sedentary work: occasionally lifting or carrying objects of no more than 10 pounds, and occasionally standing or walking, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, feeling talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

Working Conditions:

The duties of this position are performed in a general office setting. There is frequent pressure to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects in a day.

Equipment Used to Perform Job:

Standard tools and equipment used to test, troubleshoot and train on forecasting software.

Calculator, Fax, copier, telephone, printer, Telex CRT and PC with Microsoft Office programs.

Financial Responsibility:

None.

Contacts:

Has daily contact with suppliers/vendors.

Confidentiality:

Has access to confidential information, including Distribution Center product costs and software passwords.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.