Senior Category Manager - Center Store

Alaska Commercial Company; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaska Commercial Company (ACC) in Anchorage, AK seeks a Senior Category Manager – Center Store to define category strategy, own results, and drive sales and profit through data-driven decisions.

You will lead and develop the Category Team to achieve business goals, with opportunities across ACC and the broader North West Company portfolio.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ experience in category management.
• Post-secondary education in Commerce, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Category Managers and sign-off on key decisions.
• Direct and oversee CMs in P&L, reviews, strategies, promos, and vendor negotiations.
• Develop and monitor department budget; manage planogram schedule and implementation.
• Staffing, training, and performance management for the category team.
• Liaise between departments and VP of Merchandising; communicate performance.
• Own assortment and performance for select categories; supervise CM I/II.
• Develop market data and consumer insights to drive category performance.

Skills

Category management

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Prioritization

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Commerce/Marketing/Supply Chain

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

In your role as the Senior Category Manager – Center Store at Alaska Commercial Company (ACC), you will be accountable to define category strategy and own the results, make sourcing and assortment decisions and drive category sales and profit growth through data driven decision-making and innovation. As a leader, you will manage and develop your Category Team to achieve business goals.

Joining ACC gives you the opportunity to develop in the Merchandising Department or throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

ACC is a subsidiary of The North West Company International (NWCI), a leading retailer of under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out www.alaskacommercial.com for more information.

Your Responsibilities:

• Supervise Category Managers (CMs) and sign-off on key decisions
  • Direct and oversee CMs in essential duties (i.e., P&L management, category reviews, category strategies, promo plans, and vendor negotiations)
  • Develop and monitor department budget
  • Develop and manage planogram schedule and implementation
  • Responsible for talent, including staffing, training, and performance management
• Serves as the “liaison” between departments and other business leads
  • Effectively communicate performance and strategies to VP of Merchandising and across the organization
  • Foster strong relationships with cross-functional teams and drive sales growth
  • Participate in business and company wide initiatives, representing the perspective of the AC business
• Owns category assortment and performance for select categories, supported by CM I and CM II
  • Make assortment decisions to achieve category roles and financial targets
  • Supervise and coach CM I and CM II, who drive day-to-day category management activities
• Coordinates messaging/strategy for suppliers that cut across multiple CMs
  • Develop market data and consumer behavior to find innovative ways to drive category performance

Skills and Qualification:

• Minimum five [5] years’ experience in category management is required and/or:
• Must have a post-secondary education (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) in Commerce, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management. Additional experience in lieu or education may be considered
• Experience leading and managing a small team is required
• Solid experience with MS Office Suite experience, including above-average knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Must have demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and financial analysis capabilities
• Ability to set priorities and manage priorities of the team
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to teach and monitor performance
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment
• Primarily computer work; able to sit or stand in one place for long periods
• Multiple phone calls and meetings on a daily/weekly basis
• Open area office environment
• Ability to travel 30% of the time

Location:

Anchorage, Alaska

Reports to:

VP of Merchandising, ACC

Closing Date:

Friday, November 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM AKST

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

• Acting with Integrity Fostering excellence Respecting Others Working Collaboratively Being Accountable

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.