Strategic Category Manager, Retail Buyer (Hybrid)

Applegreen Travel Plazas; Saddle River (NJ); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401 k with Company Match

10% Annual Bonus

Hybrid Work Arrangement

Earned Wage Access – Pay on Demand

Education Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Applegreen USA in Glen Rock, NJ, is seeking a Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies across our retail portfolio. You will manage assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor partnerships to drive sales and profitability.

Working with Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and suppliers, you will analyze data, forecast performance, and lead negotiations to achieve favorable terms. A results-driven, collaborative leader is ideal for our fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of retail buying, category management, merchandising, or procurement experience.
• Strong negotiation skills with suppliers and vendor management.
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and Office Suite proficiency; data-driven mindset.
• Analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities; ability to interpret data for decisions.
• Excellent planning, organization, and project management skills; effective communicator.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to drive sales growth and margins.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and merchandising plans.
• Analyze sales, margin, and market data to identify opportunities and trends.
• Lead category reviews, forecasts, budgets, and performance reporting.
• Build supplier relationships; lead annual vendor negotiations and joint plans.
• Coordinate planograms and promotional calendars with Operations and Marketing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support launches and initiatives.
• Mentor junior team members and foster high-performance culture.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial acumen

Problem solving

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Office Suite

Vendor relationship management

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or Supply Chain

Tools

PDI

Job description

Applegreen USA in Glen Rock, NJ, is seeking a Category Manager to develop and execute category strategies across our retail portfolio. You will manage assortment, pricing, promotions, and vendor partnerships to drive sales and profitability.

Working with Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and suppliers, you will analyze data, forecast performance, and lead negotiations to achieve favorable terms. A results-driven, collaborative leader is ideal for our fast-paced environment.