SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER - DELI - CORPORATE

Uwajimaya Inc; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid holidays from day one

Employee discounts on food and gift

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Long term disability

Life insurance

Opportunities for growth and advanced

Job summary

Uwajimaya Inc. in Seattle, WA, seeks a Senior Category Manager for Deli & Bakery to develop and execute strategic plans, manage assortments, and drive sales and profitability.

You will oversee scratch-made offerings, vendor partnerships, and central kitchen coordination while guiding in-store execution and pricing strategies. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in service deli or bakery operations, retail category management, and strong negotiating and analytical abilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in service deli or bakery operations, retail category management, and purchasing, including experience as a Category Manager or in an equivalent role.
• Experience running or managing a commercial kitchen is a plus.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing retail and food service vendor relationships.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, and actionable insight generation skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies aligned with business objectives for Japanese and Pan-Asian assortments.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights.
• Optimize assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales and profitability.
• Collaborate with Deli Managers to develop new products for central kitchen and stores.
• Own ingredient statements, labeling, and packaging for the assortment.
• Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to ensure favorable pricing and supply chain efficiency.
• Coach and incubate new local vendors into the Deli & Bakery assortment.
• Coordinate with marketing/merchandising for category plans and in-store execution.
• Monitor category performance and implement action plans to address underperformance.
• Stay current on Asian restaurant and retail food trends.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Finance

Advanced degree or certifications (a plus)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About Us: Uwajimaya, a family-owned business, and a cornerstone of Asian grocery retailing since 1928, is seeking dedicated individuals to join our dynamic team. With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences, Uwajimaya has grown to become the premier destination for Asian food culture in the Pacific Northwest.Who We're Looking For: We are seeking individuals who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, driven to excel in their roles, and motivated to contribute to our vibrant team. Whether you're a seasoned professional or eager to start your career, we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who share our enthusiasm for food, customer service, and Asian culture.We offer:A flexible, friendly, and diverse work environmentCompetitive starting wagesEmployee discounts on food and gift itemsPaid holidays from day oneExcellent health benefitsRetirement planPaid time offLong term disabilityLife insuranceOpportunities for growth and advancementSupplemental insurance options availablePosition Summary:The Senior Category Manager Deli & Bakery, under the guidance of the VP of Retail Sales, is responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to manage assortment, as well as to drive sales, profitability, and market share in Uwajimaya Deli & Bakery departments. The Senior Category Manager Deli & Bakery will create, curate, and own in-store and central kitchen scratch made assortments, as well as third party vendor made fresh and packaged assortments. This role requires an understanding of Japanese & Pan Asian foods, service deli operations, and recipe creation, as well as vendor and supply chain management. The Candidate should have experience in service deli or food service operations, supply chain, and retail category management. The Candidate should possess strong interpersonal communication skills. The Senior Category Manager Deli & Bakery directly oversees the Deli Category Assistant. Fluency in Japanese, Cantonese, or Mandarin is a plus, but not required.Position’s Key Responsibilities:Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business objectives and promote Japanese and Pan-Asian assortments. Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights. Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales and profitability. Analyze sales performance and customer feedback to make data-driven decisions.Work with store Deli Managers to develop new Japanese and Pan Asian products for central kitchen and store production. Own and oversee ingredient statements, labeling, and packaging to complement assortment. Responsible for costs, pricing, margin of scratch made assortment in stores and central kitchen.Build and maintain strong relationships with key food service and packaged goods suppliers and vendors. Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to ensure favorable pricing and supply chain efficiency. Shepherd and incubate new and local on trend vendors into Deli & Bakery assortment.Work closely with corporate marketing and merchandising teams to execute category plans. Ability to influence and collaborate with store deli department managers and teams to implement new changes and processes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adoption of new initiatives. Coordinate with store operations to ensure effective in-store execution and presentation. Work closely with central kitchen to execute scratch made assortments.Monitor and report on category performance metrics, including sales, margins, and inventory turnover. Develop and implement action plans to address underperforming areas.Conduct consumer research and gather insights to understand shopping behaviors and preferences. Leverage insights to influence category strategy and drive customer satisfaction. Stay close to Asian restaurant and Asian retail grocery food trends.Other duties as assigned.Salary Range: $91,468 - $135,689Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your applicationIER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 322.73 KB)E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 259.92 KB)Uwajimaya is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.Position Requirements:5+ years of experience in service deli or bakery operations, retail category management, and purchasing, including experience as a Category Manager or in an equivalent role. Experience in running or managing a commercial kitchen is a plus.Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field. Advanced degrees or relevant certifications are a plus.Experience with Pan Asian or Japanese food in retail or food service environment.Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.Extensive experience negotiating with suppliers and managing retail and food service vendor relationships.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong presentation skills.Ability to lead diverse teams and manage through ambiguity.Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and Power Point.Full-time office position based in Seattle Washington. Hybrid work model with one day per week work from home.Regular visits to local Uwajimaya central kitchen and stores to work with Deli store managers to promote recipe and assortment alignment, roll-out new products, and advise on in-store merchandising.Occasional travel (less than 10%) to supplier sites, trade shows, or store locations in Washington and Oregon may be required.