National Category Director

Socket.dev; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages paid weekly

Wage access prior to payday

Associate discounts

Time off and growth opportunities

Job summary

Albertsons Companies seeks a National Category Director to strategically manage merchandising for assigned categories nationwide. You will lead a category pod, collaborate with division merchants, and drive analytics-driven planning to grow market share and profitability.

Based at our Boise HQ with some travel, you will negotiate with national suppliers, influence pricing, promotions, and assortment, and mentor a high-performing team to deliver retail transformation.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years retail merchandising/category management and operations experience.
• Strong negotiation and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Collaborative leader with track record of guiding cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Strategically manage national category merchandising strategy across divisions.
• Lead a category pod with merchants from divisions to plan and execute analytics-driven strategies.
• Negotiate with suppliers and align with divisions on terms, pricing, and promotions.
• Own data analytics, scorecards, and promotional planning to maximize category performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on tactics and drive growth.

Skills

Retail merchandising

Category management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

Periscope

BI Dashboards

Nielsen

Job description

Why choose us?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!

At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving.

What you will be doing

Albertsons Companies has an exciting opportunity to strategically manage a category(s) nationally for the entire organization. You will play an integral part in our growth and transformation as a company, as we seek to provide industry leading customer experience and grow our market share. In this role you must be comfortable as both a team leader and team player.

What does it take to be successful here? You have deep category management experience. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a successful track record of managing high-functioning teams. You have an analytical mindset and can determine data- driven solutions to complex problems. You are a collaborative team member used to presenting analyses and insights to your peers and having discussions to resolve challenges. You are a passionate and proven negotiator. You are decisive in your actions, yet collaborative in your approach. You want to be part of a team that will build category expertise and an amazing culture to drive the overall success of the company. If that's you then what are we waiting for? Let's do this!

Main responsibilities:

The National Category Director will report to the National Category Vice President (and up through the Senior Vice President of Merchandising) and will be responsible for developing and managing merchandising strategy for a given category(s). As a Category Director, you will serve as the leader of a category pod, a team made up of merchants from each division with whom you will collaborate and lead merchandising planning activities for your assigned category(s).

The position will be in our national headquarters (Boise ID). Some travel will be required to interact with division merchandising teams and national suppliers.

This is a significant opportunity to make a difference in retail transformation at scale. As the leader of your category pod, you will work closely with national and division merchandising leadership to determine category strategies. You will develop deep category expertise, including understanding of category trends, innovations, consumer preferences, nuances by geography and customer segments, and competitor activity. You will negotiate with national suppliers on behalf of the divisions.

Category Management

– Strategically manages category(s) to meet sales, profit, and market share targets at the national and division level. Creates and implements category strategy, pricing strategy, promotional strategy, and assortment strategy for each assigned category, based on a detailed and analytically driven planning process, relying on significant collaboration with divisions and functional leaders. Leads the merchandising planning process with national and division merchants within the category pod to maximize category performance across all of Albertsons and within each division. Serves as the company’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned category(s). Researches category trends, innovations, competitors, and regional preferences. Directly responsible for making critical decisions for the category, while working with division leads and functional teams to consider division nuances and drive to the right answer.

Supplier Relationships / Negotiations

– Conducts all company-wide negotiations with suppliers of assigned categories, including cost, assortment, funding, and replenishment & contract terms, taking into consideration division inputs and commitments. Acts as the primary contact for all vendors in assigned categories. Meets with vendors on a consistent basis for deal negotiation and business updates. Attend key vendor meetings. Develops supplier joint business plan by leveraging scale of the organization to achieve the best possible cost of goods. Evaluates supplier performance, working with divisions and procurement team as needed. Communicates negotiations outcomes to divisions to enable them to plan and execute promotional events and local ads.

Data & Analytics

– Leverages data to drive all decision-making. Maintains weekly, quarterly, and yearly scorecards to track sales, profit, and market share of each category. Oversee the utilization of merchant tools to conduct category data analysis. Works closely with functional team members and division merchants to collect and synthesize inputs (e.g., division promotional funding, local assortment considerations, Own Brands considerations, eCommerce strategy, and competitor benchmarking sets) to be used during the merchandising planning process. Manages and maximizes category(s) promotional plans to achieve most efficient use of vendor dollars for every division. Creates sales and profit projections at the category level. Conducts in depth post- promotional analysis at the item and category level in preparation for the next promotional plan. Uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize and anticipate issues and opportunities. Elevates analyses beyond reporting and translates insight into retail action.

Collaboration

– Leads the category(s) pod with Division ASMs and functional business units. Understands division needs and commitments and integrates these into the overall category plan. Works with multiple internal cross-functional teams to connect business opportunities and develop both strategic and tactical solutions. Cultivates team morale, motivation, and loyalty through continuous training and mentorship, setting obtainable performance goals and provides clear communication and constructive feedback.

Diversity & Inclusion

– Develops an approach that considers associates and leaders from across the organization and draws diverse perspectives into the design recommendation. Fosters a diverse and inclusive team and work environment and role models our culture and leadership practices.

Talent Management

– Demonstrates effective leadership skills and abilities. Develops professional materials and opportunities, including unique experiences and well-designed programs, to train and retain merchandising talent and drive category expertise. Applies knowledge of leadership competency frameworks and a variety of proven practices, tools, and techniques that help leaders develop in their jobs.

The ideal candidate has an entrepreneurial spirit and a successful track record of delivering results. They hold a curious mindset, are innovative and bring creativity to improving processes with a keen eye for efficiency and automation. They want to be part of a team that will lead a retail transformation, build an amazing culture, and drive the overall success of the company

We are looking for candidates who possess the following:

• Field or relevant business experience where a solid understanding of marketing, merchandising, consumer research, and financial management practices have been gained
• Excellent understanding of store operations, merchandising methodologies and practices, and P&L and financial management
• Strong quantitative, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and experience in taking initiative and making decisive yet appropriate decisions
• Strong planning, facilitating, and organizing skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective relationships within and outside the company
• Strategy development skills
• Proven track record of being a strong negotiator
• Skilled in Category Business Planning
• Able to effectively lead a collaborative process with multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of procurement, logistics, and inventory management

We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:

• 5-10 plus years retail merchandising/category management and operations experience
• 3-5 plus years Division and or National level retail operations, merchandising/category, marketing, and finance experience.
• Experienced with successfully leading large-scale projects across multiple retail locations.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience with a related degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Demonstrated success record in collaborating with multiple functional areas to achieve overall company goals which would include but not limited to Divisions, Senior Leadership, Procurement and Vendor Partners.
• Proven leadership and ability to lead by influencing others without direct authority, both formally and informally.
• Ability to create an environment that fosters learning, teaching, growth, risk-taking, and innovation.
• Balances the needs of multiple stakeholders while maintaining strong executive level partnerships.
• Highly self-motivated and self-learner that assumes personal accountability for results and performance that has a passion for lifelong learning and personal development.
• Demonstrated track record as proactive trusted advisor/leader in an organization, particularly around strategic issues to drive results.
• Ability to implement innovative plans in reaction to a range of business and consumer challenges and to sell these programs to our Division Management Teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective relationships within and outside the company
• Strategy development skills
• Proven track record of being a strong negotiator
• Skilled in Category Business Planning
• Able to effectively lead a collaborative process with multiple stakeholders and working in a matrixed environment
• Understanding of procurement, logistics, and inventory management
• Up to 40% travel depending on location

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficiency with merchandising tools (e.g., Periscope, Demand Tech, I2E, BI Dashboards, GOLD, OMNI, IRI, Nielsen, Mintel, tool)
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA)

We also provide a variety of benefits including:

• Competitive wages paid weekly

Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream

• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay). For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

Our Values –

view video: ACI Values

A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.

Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. Committed to innovation and fostering a culture of belonging, our team is united with a unique purpose: to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. We want talented individuals to be part of this journey!

Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is a leading food and drug retailer in the U.S. We operate over 2,200 stores, 1,732 pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution facilities, and 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, United Express, Randalls, Albertson’s Market, Pavilions, Star Markets, Market Street, Carrs, Haggen, Lucky, Amigos, Andronico’s Community Markets, King’s, Balducci’s, and Albertson’s Market Street.

Our vision is to be a retail leader admired for national strength with deep local roots, offering an easy, fun, friendly, and inspiring experience, no matter how customers choose to shop with us. We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can fully contribute to their and our company’s success.

Bring your flavor

Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. All employees must comply with Company, Division, and Store policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties, and skills of personnel may vary within store and/or from store to store and the official job description will be provided during the application process.

Albertsons is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Consistent with applicable state and local law, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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