CATEGORY MANAGER - MEAT - CORPORATE

Uwajimaya Inc; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, vision

Paid holidays from day one

retirement plan

Job summary

Uwajimaya Inc. seeks a Category Manager – Meat who will develop and execute strategies to grow sales, profitability, and market share across the meat category. You will collaborate with stores and suppliers, analyze market trends, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize assortment and promotions.

The role requires strong analytical skills, negotiation experience, and knowledge of Japanese/Pan Asian cuisine. Travel to stores and supplier sites in WA and OR may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degrees a plus.
• 3+ years in retail merchandising or purchasing.
• Strong analytical skills with data interpretation ability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian cuisine; Japanese or Mandarin a plus.
• Willingness to visit Uwajimaya stores and travel to supplier sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales.
• Analyze sales performance and customer feedback for data-driven decisions.
• Collaborate with store managers and Director of Retail Operations on merchandising guidelines.
• Build and maintain pricing and promotion strategies.
• Negotiate contracts and terms with key suppliers and vendors.
• Coordinate with marketing and merchandising to execute category plans.
• Monitor category performance metrics and inventory turnover.
• Create action plans to address underperforming areas.
• Conduct consumer research to understand shopping behaviors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Vendor management

Excel

PowerPoint

Japanese language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Us: Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — we’re a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, we’ve grown into the Pacific Northwest’s premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one that’s centered around food, culture, and people.Why Join Uwajimaya?At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection.Who We're Looking ForWe’re looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you’re serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — you’ll feel right at home here.To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:Functional/Technical Skills: You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.Customer Focus: You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.Action Oriented: You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.Peer Relationships: You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.Self-Development: You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.We offer:A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work cultureCompetitive starting wagesPaid holidays from day oneExcellent medical, dental, and vision benefitsA generous retirement planPaid time off, long-term disability, and life insuranceEmployee discounts on food and gift itemsSupplemental insurance optionsOpportunities for growth and advancementPosition Summary:The Category Manager – Meat at Uwajimaya will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to drive sales, profitability, and market share across the meat category. They will collaborate with stores and suppliers, analyze market trends, design and run category promotions, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize product assortment and merchandising strategies. Collaborating with store managers and vendors, they enhance profitability by updating costs, monitoring sales and Gross Profit across retail locations, coordinating purchases, and managing data files. This role requires a thorough understanding of store operations and procurement, as well as an understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian food. The Category Manager should have strong interpersonal communication and analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the competitive market. The Category Manager will develop and drive strategic decisions and optimize overall performance for their assigned categories.Position’s Key Responsibilities:Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business objectives. Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights. Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales and profitability. Analyze sales performance and customer feedback to make data-driven decisionsWork with store managers and Director of Retail Operations to create merchandising guidelines to execute and align across stores. Build and develop pricing and promotion strategies.Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors. Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to ensure favorable pricing and supply chain efficiency.Work closely with corporate marketing and merchandising teams to execute category plans. Coordinate with store operations to ensure effective in-store execution and presentation.Monitor and report on category performance metrics, including sales, margins, and inventory turnover. Develop and implement action plans to address underperforming areas.Conduct consumer research and gather insights to understand shopping behaviors and preferences. Leverage insights to influence category strategy and drive customer satisfaction.Work closely with stores, merchandising, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on category initiatives and promotional activities.Other duties as assigned.Starting Pay: $74,756 annually, Depending on ExperienceSalary Range: $74,756 - $112,134Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your applicationIER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 322.73 KB)E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 259.92 KB)Uwajimaya is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field. Advanced degrees or relevant certifications are a plus.3+ years of experience in retail merchandising or purchasing, preferably within the grocery industry.Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner.Experience in negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data analysis and reporting.Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.Thorough understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian cuisine. Fluency in Japanese or Mandarin is a plus but not required.Regular visits to Uwajimaya stores. Occasional travel to supplier sites, trade shows, or store locations in Washington and Oregon may be required.