Grocery Category Manager: Negotiation, Growth & Impact

careers-naturalgrocers; California (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural Grocers is seeking a Category Manager - Grocery responsible for developing category assortments, planograms, pricing, and promotions to drive profitability and store execution. This role leads supplier negotiations, manages vendor relationships, and oversees inventory and pricing accuracy.

The position requires collaboration with stores and coordinators, travel up to 25%, and a Bachelor’s degree in business with at least 3 years in buying or category management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a buying or category management role, preferably corporate retail in natural foods.
• Excellent written and communication skills are required.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Computer proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, and Outlook.
• Previous experience with SAP a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze results.
• Strong relationship building, negotiations, and influencing skills.
• Travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Assortments & Planograms: Develop and maintain core assortments and schematics, including new, exclusive, and private label items.
• Manage product introductions, discontinuations, and store-specific assortments.
• Partner with coordinators and stores to ensure accurate and consistent execution, including new store launches.
• New Products & Vendor Support: Evaluate new products to ensure alignment with Natural Grocers' quality standards.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive costs, value-added programs, and exclusivity opportunities.
• Maintain strong vendor and broker relationships to support long-term category growth.
• Ordering & Inventory: Manage promotional, new products, and new store ordering and new store order coordinating activities.
• Manage accurate pricing and inventory levels.
• Ensure returns, recalls, and related credits are properly executed and recovered.
• Promotions & Pricing: Manages promotional execution, documentation, and validation of vendor funding.
• Implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and margin goals.
• Oversee pricing, freight, and promotional discrepancies to minimize lost sales and margin risk.
• Communication & Collaboration: Serve as a key point of contact for stores, coordinators, suppliers, brokers, and internal partners.
• Provide guidance and education to support successful in-store execution of purchasing initiatives.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Hire, coach, and manage two Purchasing Assistant(s) or other support roles.
• Oversee daily workflow, accuracy, and prioritization.
• Conduct performance reviews and manage employee development and corrective actions in accordance with company policy.

Skills

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Analytical skills

Communication skills

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

MS Access

MS Outlook

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree in business

Tools

SAP

Job description

Natural Grocers is seeking a Category Manager - Grocery responsible for developing category assortments, planograms, pricing, and promotions to drive profitability and store execution. This role leads supplier negotiations, manages vendor relationships, and oversees inventory and pricing accuracy.

The position requires collaboration with stores and coordinators, travel up to 25%, and a Bachelor’s degree in business with at least 3 years in buying or category management.