Center Store Category Manager

Carlie C's IGA; Dunn (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Carlie C's IGA is seeking a data-driven Category Manager to lead Center Store categories, including Dry Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, and Health & Beauty Care. You will own vendor negotiations, pricing strategies, promotions, and shelf placement to maximize sales and profitability.

This role requires 3–5 years in retail management within grocery, strong merchandising expertise, and the ability to travel between store locations.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive retail management experience in grocery.
• Deep understanding of Center Store merchandising and planograms.
• Strong analytical, vendor management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel between store locations.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning: develop and execute category business plans to achieve sales, margin, and turnover goals.
• Assortment optimization: review and refine product offerings and onboard innovative products.
• Vendor management: lead negotiations with suppliers for cost, funding, and promotions.
• Pricing & promotions: establish competitive pricing and design promotional programs.
• Data analysis: leverage Nielsen/IRI data and internal metrics for data-driven decisions.
• Cross-functional collaboration: work with Supply Chain, Marketing, Store Ops, and Pricing teams.
• Planogramming: develop effective planograms to maximize sales per square foot.

Skills

Retail category management

Merchandising

Vendor management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Planogramming

Travel readiness

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and data-driven Category Manager to lead our Center Store categories (which may include Dry Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, and Health & Beauty Care). The Category Manager will be responsible for driving sales, maximizing profitability, and optimizing product assortment to meet the needs of our customers. You will act as the business owner for your categories, managing everything from vendor negotiations and pricing strategies to promotional planning and shelf placement.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive category business plans to achieve sales, margin, and turnover goals.
• Assortment Optimization: Continuously review and refine product offerings. Identify new trends, onboard innovative products, and discontinue underperforming SKUs Design exit strategies for seasonal, dated and closeout products.
• Vendor Management: Lead negotiations with suppliers for optimal cost, funding, and promotional support. Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key partners.
• Pricing & Promotions: Establish competitive pricing strategies and design high-impact promotional programs to drive customer traffic and basket size.
• Data Analysis: Leverage syndicated data (Nielsen/IRI), internal sales metrics, and market trends to make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Supply Chain, Marketing, Store Operations, and Pricing teams to ensure seamless execution of category strategies.
• Planogramming: Collaborate with the team to develop effective planograms that improve shop ability and maximize sales per square foot.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive retail management experience in the grocery industry, with a strong emphasis on Center Store operations, merchandising, or multi-unit supervision.
• Expert Merchandiser: Deep understanding of grocery retail principles, including planograms, cross-merchandising, seasonal transitions, and consumer buying behaviors.
• Leadership & Coaching: Proven ability to train, mentor, and hold management teams accountable without relying solely on formal authority. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to read and interpret financial reports, sales data, and inventory metrics to make informed, profitable merchandising decisions.
• Mobility: Ability to travel between store locations.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during store visits.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent bending, stooping, and reaching.