Category Manager, Meat

Wakefern Food Corp.; Elizabeth (NJ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Wakefern Food Corp. is seeking a Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, and customer value for the cooperative.

The role collaborates with buying, marketing, merchandising, and analytics to deliver insights, optimize assortments, and support short- and long-term category plans across a broad product portfolio. Success requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of meat commodities, and the ability to translate insights into actionable

Qualifications

• Strong analytical capabilities with detail- and data-driven approach
• Experience in meat commodities knowledge (beef, poultry, pork, lamb, veal, smoked, frozen)
• Prior inventory/warehouse distribution experience preferred
• 1–3 years of supermarket or related retail experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership abilities

Responsibilities

• Navigate the organization and collaborate cross-functionally to meet category objectives
• Provide members with insights on product performance and category strategy
• Develop and execute short- and long-term category plans
• Direct and mentor analyst resources for category initiatives
• Lead category management projects to optimize assortments and profitability
• Manage a broad product portfolio and tailor strategies by category
• Build strong relationships with buying, marketing, and merchandising teams
• Drive sales growth and maximize profitability for Wakefern

Skills

Analytical skills

Category management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Meat commodities knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Job description

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

About You

The Category Manager supports the development and execution of category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, and customer value for the cooperative. This role collaborates cross-functionally with buying, marketing, merchandising, and analytics partners to deliver customer-focused insights, optimize assortments, and support both short-and long-term category plans across a broad portfolio of products. The position is responsible for analyzing national and regional customer data, developing data-driven recommendations, and supporting category initiatives related to assortment, pricing, promotions, forecasting, and ad planning. Success in this role requires strong analytical capability, working knowledge of meat commodities and retail operations, and the ability to translate insights into actionable business strategies that support the cooperative.

Core Functions

The core functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Effectively navigates the organization and collaborates cross-functionally to achieve category objectives
• Provides Wakefern Members with customer-focused insights and guidance related to product performance and category strategy
• Develops and executes short and long-term category plans and strategies
• Provides direction and guidance to analyst resources as needed to support category initiatives
• Leads category management projects to optimize assortments, merchandising, and overall category performance
• Manages a broad portfolio of products, developing tailored strategies to drive results across categories
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with buying, marketing, and merchandising partners
• Actively drives sales growth and maximizes profitability for the cooperative
• Analyzes national and regional customer data to develop recommendations that support business growth
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying process efficiencies, leveraging technology and AI-enabled insights, and adapting to evolving market trends
• Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing AI and digital technologies to analyze complex data, generate actionable insights, automate routine analytical tasks, and support fact-based category strategies that improve operational efficiency and business results.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or currently enrolled with a minimum of 60 college credits completed
• Working knowledge of procurement and product management across meat commodities, including beef, poultry, pork, lamb, veal, smoked, and frozen meats
• Strong analytical skills with a high aptitude for detail- and data-driven work; advanced computer proficiency required
• Prior inventory management and/or warehouse distribution experience strongly preferred
• 1-3 years of supermarket or related retail experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership capability and strong customer service orientation
• Proven ability to analyze key data and draw accurate conclusions to support category and business decisions
• Solid understanding of retail insights and performance drivers
• Experience leading or supporting category strategies, including assortment/ranging, pricing, and promotional planning across customer channels
• Meat cutting experience preferred
• Experience with ad planning, forecasting, and promotional execution
• Strong negotiation skills

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to sit/stand in front of a computer for long periods of time
• Ability to participate in retail store visits
• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to work a four day in office hybrid schedule as established by the organization

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $125,000 annually. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.

About The Work

This job description is intended to set forth the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of the work performed by associates for this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates to do this job. Associates may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary.

The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require associates to perform other tasks such as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or the work environment changes. This document describes the position currently available and is not an employment contract. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. If requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position covered by this Job Description is expressly declared to be "at will," meaning Wakefern has the right to terminate the incumbent’s employment at any time, with or without cause. Any written or oral promises or representations to the contrary are expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any associate. Any change to this "at will" employment status must be in writing and signed by the Vice President of Human Resources.