Dairy Category Strategy Manager (Hybrid, Growth)

Cub; Edina (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive 401k

Flexible PTO

Hybrid work model

Health benefits

Mentorship program

Job summary

UNFI in Edina, MN seeks a Dairy Category Manager to lead category strategies that drive sales, profitability and market share. The role focuses on annual business planning, pricing, promotions, and assortment optimization across stores, with heavy vendor collaboration.

The ideal candidate has merchandising, operations, and financial acumen, plus strong analytical and negotiation skills, in a hybrid work environment. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent relevant work experience considered in food retail.
• Experience with procurement, logistics, and inventory management.
• Strong understanding of merchandising methodologies, store operations, and financial management (including P&L).

Responsibilities

• Develops annual category business plans including sales and gross profit projections.
• Creates pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and product assortments by category and zone.
• Manages vendor relationships, negotiations, and item authorizations to maximize profitability.
• Designs schematics and adjacencies to strengthen category roles.
• Plans 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.
• Serves as primary vendor contact within assigned categories.

Skills

Merchandising expertise

Store operations knowledge

Financial management / P&L

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Internet research tools

Job description

UNFI in Edina, MN seeks a Dairy Category Manager to lead category strategies that drive sales, profitability and market share. The role focuses on annual business planning, pricing, promotions, and assortment optimization across stores, with heavy vendor collaboration.

The ideal candidate has merchandising, operations, and financial acumen, plus strong analytical and negotiation skills, in a hybrid work environment. Bachelor's degree preferred.