Category Strategy Lead: Merchandising & Growth

Kroger Co.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee assistance program

Associate discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kroger Co. is seeking a Category Manager to lead a category with end-to-end responsibility for assortment, financials, and strategy.

You will collaborate with support teams to make data-driven decisions that reflect local needs and align with Kroger’s values of respect, integrity, and safety. You will develop tactics across all channels, monitor trends, and drive the product life-cycle while aligning with plans, budgets, and pricing programs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop short and long-term category strategies and tactics across channels.
• Respond to industry trends and communicate initiatives to relevant parties.
• Understand levers across 4Ps and drive full product life-cycle with cross-functional input.
• Build assortment using vendor data and division input.
• Oversee plan-o-gram process, deadlines, placement, and flow.
• Track SKU performance and adjust assortment to meet goals.
• Maintain category budgets, forecasts, and plans.
• Establish price and category architecture and input on pricing programs.
• Review pricing inclusion and adjustments, including responses to competitor moves.
• Oversee promotional strategy and define promo goals and tests.
• Select products for promotion leveraging data on shelf and stores.
• Define guardrails for promo planners and manage testing timelines.
• Oversee end-to-end product flow and coordinate with stores on replenishment.
• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate prices and opportunities.
• Engage vendors and sources for promo offers and forecast needs.
• Supervise and coach direct reports; conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Category strategy

Analytical thinking

Coaching & training

Organization

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kroger Co. is seeking a Category Manager to lead a category with end-to-end responsibility for assortment, financials, and strategy.

You will collaborate with support teams to make data-driven decisions that reflect local needs and align with Kroger’s values of respect, integrity, and safety. You will develop tactics across all channels, monitor trends, and drive the product life-cycle while aligning with plans, budgets, and pricing programs.