**Must reside within the Pittsburgh, PA area**

Job Overview:

The primary goal of the Category Manager - Region is to aggressively manage the merchandising strategy for Deli & Bakery, to include Product Assortment, Costs, Promotional Activity, and Shelf Allocation to drive sales for the region’s retail customers. The Category Manager is responsible for managing vendor relationships, the vendor funding checkbook and category item assortment to drive sales and margin for UNFI.

What does it mean to be part of the Merchandising Team?

Whether it’s overseeing produce, bakery/deli, meat, center store, general merchandise, health, or beauty, this team manages and drives a category for the organization. A role in category merchandising involves business planning, financial analysis, pricing, participating in the review of assortment, shelf management, advertising promotions, negotiations with suppliers, and sourcing. A 100% unique approach, proven to increase sales and profitability. It’s having the right assortment of products based on your customers’ demographics and lifestyle. Solid category strategies. Better customer satisfaction. More efficiency. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Ability to train and mentor new Category Managers.

• Leadership role(s) in a department-wide initiative, overseeing planning, communication, and successful implementation both within the departments and with supporting teams.

• Representation of the Department and/or Region in a corporate-wide initiative or effort.

• Initiate and implement new sales driving opportunities, whether in response to changing needs/environment or to create a new source of excitement/demand through creative merchandising.

• Understand the workings of department P&L, ability to research and analyze financial metrics, and create solutions.

• Leadership in key vendor or broker relations, overseeing planning, communication, and successful implementation of sales initiatives and major changes that span multiple CM desks/departments.

• Develop category business plans for assigned categories using all available resources, including analysis of both internal and syndicated data, (validated) manufacturer input and expertise, commodity reports, trade/industry news, consumer trends, and customer feedback. Measures results and adjusts plans as needed.

• Develop and manage communication to the retail sales team for all selling programs and category management initiatives. Track participation and sales by DC, sales team, and retail customers on all selling programs and category management initiatives.

• Ensure that New Items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.

• Champion UNFI Brands+ assortment, manage Brands + role in category and programs as appropriate.

• Maintain a relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements. Rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling the cost of carrying inventory, shrink, and spoilage.

• Accurately manage, sell, and price, including vendor cost, freight.

• Actively participate in promotional planning process, including Weekly Ads, Selling shows, Region programs, Long Term Promotional Pricing (SED), and Temporary Price Reductions. Ad Groups & Ad Item Play, suggested retails, all.

• Collaborate with Customer Service on any retail issues regarding product costs and fees.

• Collaborate with the Dated Order Team to ensure orders are fulfilled correctly as requested or provide alternative solutions when that is not possible.

• Resolve internal and external customer requests and concerns with a high level of professionalism.

• Supervise Category Department Specialist.

• Ensure SOX compliance for deal acceptance and sell audit reporting.

• Manage applicable/local tax requirements at the category or item level as needed, promotional costs and windows, and any specific requirements of performance are communicated in collaboration with the Sales & Promotion team.

• Negotiate with brokers and vendors on all aspects of category merchandising plans. Solicits support to drive profitable sales that meet and exceed retail customer demands and marketplace competition.

• Responsible for proofing all deals, communications, and advertising vehicles for accuracy.

• Perform post-promotional analysis to validate plan execution and adjust future.

• Provide sales team with retailer needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and participating in meetings, serving as liaison to brokers/vendors as required.

• Collaborate with Corporate Merchandising on local broker and vendor opportunities and concerns. Uphold the terms and conditions of all Corporate Vendor Agreements.

• Collaborate with Procurement and Warehouse operations to meet customers’ service level requirements and maximize sales through proper planning and forecasting. Assists in developing a purchasing path to ensure the lowest possible cost of goods and handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals. Assists in inventory disposition as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience: 

• Five (5) years’ Category Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectre Data, Syndicated Data Sources, and Category Management applications).

• Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of the internal Buying system preferred.

• Solid negotiating skills.

• Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people in person, via phone, and via electronic communication.

• Ability to influence without authority.

• Computer skills required, including spreadsheet and database tools, and electronic communication tools. Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities. Possess the ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.

• Analytical skills to measure sales performance, item performance within category, and overall vendor funds management performance.

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available. 

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote, where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office regularly, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Travel (minor):

• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

• Incumbent may sit for long periods at a desk or computer terminal.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during the normal workday.

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI: We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

Benefits: Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO, Remote, Health benefits – first of the month following 30 days of employment, mentorship program/developmental opportunities, etc.

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