Job Overview:

The Product Business Manager leads category strategy and product lifecycle execution across assigned UNFI Brands categories. This role drives new item innovation, oversees item maintenance and data integrity, and ensures vendor and item compliance through strong cross‑functional partnerships. Working closely with PD/QA, Brand Management, Buyers, Merchandising, and Sales Operations, the position leads category reviews and CBPs, ensures aligned planning, accurate forecasting, and effective promotional and merchandising strategies. The Product Business Manager also manages MDF spend, analyzes performance to inform decision‑making, and ensures end‑to‑end process excellence for on‑time, successful market execution.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities:

·       Lead item assortment strategy, including new item development, lifecycle management, and maintenance of existing products.

·       Drive new item innovation from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with category and brand strategies.

·       Oversee item maintenance activities, ensuring item data integrity and operational readiness.

·       Ensure vendor and item compliance by partnering closely with PD/QA and maintaining strong vendor relationships.

·       Collaborate with Brand Management and PD/QA teams to develop, refine, and execute innovation and growth plans.

·       Lead category workshops and support CBP planning, including promotional strategy, pricing recommendations, and POG placement.

·        Participates in review of full assortment; reviews and gives input into national and local vendor recommendations; supports the discontinued/markdown planning process for national items.

·       Develop and implement merchandising and sales strategies across assigned categories and product lines.

·       Create and execute semester plans for assigned categories, aligning priorities and execution milestones across teams.

·       Lead promotion effectiveness analysis and participate in joint planning to optimize performance and ROI.

·       Maintain P&L accountability for MDF spend, ensuring alignment with budget guidelines and optimal deal depth.

·       Commercial Interface with Cross‑Functional Teams

o   Buyer/Procurement Partnership: Collaborate closely with Buyers to support purchase order follow‑up, resolve supplier deduction issues, and ensure inventory levels meet demand requirements.

o   Merchandising Collaboration: Partner with the Merchandising team to develop and execute promotional plans, secure and manage supplier funding, support forecasting needs, and act as a primary liaison for supplier communications.

o   Sales Operations Alignment: Coordinate with Sales Operations to communicate supplier‑related challenges, provide updated new‑item status inputs, and ensure accurate forecasting and sales planning.

o   Brand Management Collaboration:

o   End‑to‑End Process Ownership: Ensure all cross‑functional activities align to established timelines and support accurate, on‑time market release in accordance with agreed‑upon milestones.

Product Business Manager II:

·       Lead and contribute to high‑visibility stretch projects that advance category, brand, or organizational priorities.

·       Manage larger, more complex category desks, demonstrating increased ownership, strategic thinking, and decision‑making autonomy.

·       Mentor and develop associates, providing guidance, support, and coaching to strengthen team capability and build bench strength.

·       Take on expanded category responsibility beyond GFD, supporting categories such as Grocery, Meat, or Produce and contributing broader expertise across the business.

·       Provides functional guidance, mentoring, and day to day direction to Category Merchandising Specialists to support execution quality and workflow alignment.

·       Leads cross functional workstreams, project teams, and category initiatives without formal supervisory authority.

·       Serves as a subject matter expert for category process, data integrity standards, and best practices, supporting skill development within the team.

·       May act as a team lead on assigned projects, ensuring milestones, timelines, and deliverables are met while escalating risks as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

·       Review and analyze weekly reports, audits, and performance metrics; identify and escalate risks or opportunities as needed.

·       Provides direction to Category Merch Specialists in initiatives and day-to-day tasks

Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support department and organizational goals.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

·       Bachelor’s Degree required in Business, Marketing, Management, or related field preferred.

Experience:

·       5+ years of category management, merchandising, or sourcing experience

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

·       Strong negotiation skills with experience in category management, sourcing, private label, or CPG.

·       Understanding of assortment planning and category management.

·       Ability to lead cross functional partners including Commercialization (end to end process).

·       Project Management skills and strong attention to details.

·       Demonstrates ability to think analytically and solve problems through data.

·       Ability to influence others, negotiate, collaborate.

·       Strong communication skills (written and verbal).

·       Past supplier, wholesale, or retail experience is preferred.

·       Excellent spreadsheet skills (Excel) required.

·       Must be capable of understanding retail environment.

·       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 on a regular basis, 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:

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

·       Incumbent may sit for long periods of time 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 in the course of a normal workday.

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