Manager, Category-Beverage

Pilot Travel Centers LLC.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nationwide Medical Plan/Dental/Vision

Flexible Spending Accounts

Weekly pay

401K match

Tuition Assistance

Adoption Assistance

PTO

Fuel Discount

Job summary

Pilot Company is seeking an experienced Director-level Category Manager to lead a category team and drive sales and gross profit across multiple product lines. You will own annual plans and a three-year vision, manage budgets, and ensure contracts with vendors are fulfilled while guiding store visits for feedback and strategic promotions.

You will collaborate with culinary, innovation, and brand teams to deliver profit plans, partner with operations for training, and oversee inventory controls

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of category management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; business-related field preferred.
• Strong negotiation and vendor partnership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own annual category plan and three-year strategic vision; present budgets to senior team.
• Review category performance, including monthly P&L, and adjust plans.
• Drive category reviews with direct reports and cross-functional partners.
• Maintain contracts knowledge to ensure compliance by PFJ and vendors.
• Visit stores to gather directional feedback on products and promotions.
• Lead vendor processes: product reviews, cost negotiations, RFPs, and supply chain management.

Skills

Category management

Vendor management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than 30,000 team members and over 750 retail and fueling locations in 43 states and six Canadian provinces. Our energy and logistics division serves as a top supplier of fuel, employing one of the largest tanker fleets and providing critical services to oil operations in our nation's busiest basins. Pilot Company supports a growing portfolio of brands with expertise in supply chain and retail operations, logistics and transportation, technology and digital innovation, construction, maintenance, human resources, finance, sales and marketing.

Founded in 1958 by Jim A. Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and commitment to giving back remains true to us today. Whether we are serving guests, a fellow team member, or a trucking company, we are dedicated to fueling people and keeping North America moving.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Military encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The purpose of this job is to lead a category team and manage a category (or categories) of products with the goal of increasing sales and gross profit dollars.

• Develop and own annual category plan and three-year strategic vision for each category; write and present annual budget plan to senior team
• Review category monthly and yearly performance financials and monthly review of profit and loss (P&L) performance
• Drive category review planning and presentation with direct report category team and support teams
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of all contracts and obligations to ensure that both Pilot Flying J (PFJ) and vendor adhere to the agreed-upon term and spirit of the contract or agreement
• Participate in industry events that add value to business planning process
• Visit stores to engage customers and team members in category directional feedback on products and promotions
• Lead vendor process including review of new products, business planning, cost negotiations, RFP execution, and supply chain management
• Maintain active involvement in inventory management and controls
• Study industry and category trends to support planning and development process
• Supervise and provide daily oversight of direct reports; select, coach, train, and develop direct reports, to include appraising job performance and conducting performance reviews
• Model behaviors that support the company’s common purpose; ensure guests and team members are supported at the highest level
• Ensure all activities are in compliance with rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Complete other duties as assigned
• Partner with culinary, innovation, and brand teams to deliver annual profit plan
• Partner with operations teams to ensure training and operational excellence
• Collaborate with brand and marketing teams on promotions and merchandising strategy
• Develop category business plans including product assortment, pricing, LTO’s, and promotional calendars

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent certificate required
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study preferred
• Minimum three years’ category management

Additional Information

• Nation-wide Medical Plan/Dental/Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Weekly pay
• 401K match
• Tuition Assistance
• Adoption Assistance
• PTO
• Fuel Discount