Dairy Category Manager - Hybrid in Edina, MN

United Natural Foods Inc.; Stillwater (MN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNFI in Edina, MN is seeking a Dairy Category Manager to develop category strategies, pricing, promotions, and assortments while driving sales and profitability. The role requires strong merchandising and analytical skills and collaboration with procurement and store operations.

The position entails cross-functional coordination, vendor negotiations, and regular performance reviews to optimize inventory and profitability in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent relevant work experience in food retail considered.
• Strong merchandising and financial management knowledge.
• Analytical and strategic thinking with project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops annual category business plans, including sales and gross profit projections based on performance and market trends.
• Creates pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and product assortments by category and zone.
• Manages vendor relationships: negotiations, new item authorizations, line discontinuations, and funding allocation.
• Designs schematics and adjacencies to strengthen category roles and departmental performance.
• Plans and coordinates ads, displays, and merchandising programs across stores.
• Conducts post-promotional and ongoing performance analysis with scorecards.
• collaborates cross-functionally with procurement, merchandising, store operations, and corporate teams to implement initiatives and meet inventory and service targets.
• Serves as primary point of contact for vendors within assigned categories and attends planning meetings.

Skills

Category management

Merchandising

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Data analysis

Supply chain

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

*This position is hybrid with 3 days in office in Edina, MN

Job Overview

The Dairy Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share while aligning with overall division and corporate merchandising goals.

Job Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Develops annual category business plans, including sales and gross profit projections, based on historical performance, market trends, and competitive analysis.
• Creates and maintains pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and product assortments by category and zone to optimize sales, profit, and customer experience.
• Manages vendor relationships, including negotiations, new item authorizations, line discontinuations, and allocation of vendor funding to maximize profitability.
• Designs schematics and recommends adjacencies to strengthen category roles and departmental performance.
• Plans and coordinates ads, displays, and merchandising programs across stores, ensuring alignment with departmental and divisional strategies.
• Conducts post-promotional and ongoing performance analysis at item, category, and department levels, maintaining scorecards to track results against goals.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with procurement, merchandising, store operations, and corporate teams to implement initiatives and ensure inventory and service level targets are met.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for vendors within assigned categories, attending planning meetings and ensuring effective communication of plans.

Additional Responsibilities

• Regularly visits stores to assess program execution and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Supports and implements corporate initiatives within assigned categories.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent relevant work experience in food retail considered

Experience

• Previous store operations experience or similar role with strong exposure to operations and merchandising approaches
• Familiarity with Category Business Planning
• Experience with procurement, logistics, and inventory management

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Strong understanding of merchandising methodologies, store operations, and financial management (including P&L interpretation).
• Financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research knowledge to analyze internal/external drivers of results
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to take initiative and make sound, timely decisions
• Strategic planning, organization, and project management skills
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to build and maintain effective business relationships
• Relationship management and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Internet research tools

Work Environment

• Hybrid Role: This position follows a hybrid schedule working in office three (3) days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.
• Travel (minor): This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI

We are North America's premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI
Benefits: Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO plan, Hybrid, Health benefits - first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.