Junior Category Manager

Holiday Stationstores; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle K seeks a Junior Category Manager to support the Category and Merchandise Manager Team, store operations, and vendor partners in day‑to‑day category functions. You will analyze category performance, industry trends, and insights while executing promotional planning and vendor management initiatives.

You will collaborate with Category Managers on planogram assortment, pricing, and local activities, with occasional overnight travel required to support execution and drive results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in finance, management, business economics, or related field.
• 1–3 years of work experience preferred.
• Retail experience preferred.
• Radical curiosity of retail and changing marketplace.
• Detail-oriented with ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).
• May require up to 20% travel.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Generate, analyze, and draw conclusions from substantial data to support category management decisions.
• Assist Category Managers with day‑to‑day vendor contact for item setup, pricing, costs, and logistics.
• Plan, track, and execute vendor/operations sales incentives and contests.
• Analyze and advise on local planogram assortment, planning, and process.
• Collaborate on promotional and pricing management and local activities.
• In-store merchandising opportunities with occasional overnight travel.
• Perform other duties to achieve operational excellence in the business unit.
• Maintain professional knowledge through workshops and networking.
• Support team efforts to meet financial and KRAs per Company Plan.

Skills

Retail curiosity

Detail oriented

Data analysis

Vendor management

Presentation skills

Written/verbal communication

MS Office proficiency

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, management, business economics, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Job Summary: The Junior Category Manager provides support to the Category and Merchandise Manager Team, store operations, and vendor partners in everyday functions of their categories. They are responsible for conducting analysis of category performance, industry trends & insights, while executing promotional planning, and day to day vendor management. This position is also responsible for executing strategy initiatives supporting the Merchandise Department.

Essential Functions

• Proven ability to generate, analyze, and draw conclusions on substantial amounts of data to support efficient management of the category and drive critical business decisions.
• Assist Category Managers in the management of day‑to‑day local vendor contact for all issues related to item set up, pricing, costs, product logistics, in‑stocks etc.
• Responsible for the planning, tracking, and execution of vendor/operations sales incentives and/or contests.
• Understand, analyze, and provide support and recommendations to the Category Managers for all aspects associated with the local planogram assortment, planning, and process.
• Collaborate on promotional and pricing management and execute associated local activities.
• In store merchandising opportunities to support operational team with occasional overnight travel required.
• All other duties as assigned to achieve operational excellence in the business unit.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reading professional publications, establishing personal networks; or participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing determined Financial and Key Result Area targets pursuant to Company Plan guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, management, business economics, or related field preferred. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the requirements may be substituted.
• One to Three years of work experience preferred.
• Retail experience preferred, but not necessary.
• Radical curiosity of retail and the constantly changing marketplace.
• Must be detail‑oriented and able to juggle multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) required.
• May require up to 20% travel.
• Valid Driver’s License supported by a clean driving record.
• Annually salary $65,000 to $75,000.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Complete physical activity inventory of the position includes:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Operate computer keyboard and mouse for data entry.
• View computer monitor
• Hear and speak via telephone.
• Reach forward and/or overhead.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working conditions inventory of the position includes:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at a normal range.
• The lighting will include natural light from the outside and fluorescent lighting throughout the work areas.
• Work with minimum direction and periodic supervision.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS / DUTIES AND /OR RESPONSIBILITIES NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY THE JOB AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTENDED TO SET FORTH ALL OF THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.

NOTE: This Job Description may change periodically as required by business necessity, with or without advance notice to employees.

Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.