Job Overview:

Leads team of Private Brand Managers.  Responsible for driving efficiencies across the organization. Accountable for all phases of strategic merchandising planning. Brings innovation and industry leading change to assigned categories.

Develop a consumer-centric business model by interacting at the broadest level with PBMs of other categories to drive efficiencies across the organization.  Has the ability to lead and influence, to enable them to successfully work cross-functionally with stakeholder partners. Establishes priorities, defines and refines assortment and presentation, and sets pricing guidelines and tactics. 

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

·       Lead and manage a team of Private Brand Managers, ensuring strong execution.

·       Motivate, coach, and develop team members to build a knowledgeable, high‑performing, and responsive organization.

·       Provide timely, strategic updates to the Director of Product Business Management to identify and advance business opportunities.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with National and Regional Merchandising.

·       Serve as the primary point of contact for Regional Merchandising teams.

·       Lead semester planning and manage cost change processes.

·       Set and oversee the promotional strategy for assigned categories and review the consolidated promotional plans across the team.

·       Develop annual and quarterly merchandising strategies based on performance trends, consumer insights, and competitive analysis.

·       Recommend pricing strategies and shelving placement that maximize category performance.

·       Analyze and maintain a deep understanding of product cost structures to support effective financial and sourcing decisions.

·       Develop and execute category strategies and initiatives that support overall business goals.

·       Review full category assortments and development plans to ensure strategic fit and performance.

·       Lead the development of Category Business Plans (CBP) and facilitate category workshops.

·       Build consumer‑integrated business plans in partnership with vendors to drive growth and innovation.

·       Identify, recommend, and present optimal sources of supply and vendor selections for approval.

·       Oversee the full product lifecycle for items within the assigned Private Brands portfolio.

·       Partner cross‑functionally with Marketing, Packaging, Quality Assurance, and Product Development to launch new products and enhance existing offerings.

·       Partner with the National Category Manager to evaluate product lines and new item proposals.

·       Design and execute audits to ensure accuracy and compliance across processes.

·       Continuously improve processes and workflows to drive efficiency and elevate performance.

·       Deliver on period, quarterly, and annual financial forecasts.

·       Drive industry differentiation by developing new products, programs, and processes.

·       Monitor competitive activity and adjust category tactics accordingly.

·       Set, manage, and communicate quarterly sales targets for each category.

·       Use category scorecards and consumer insights to identify trends and ensure alignment to sales and profitability goals.

·       Define and assign category rules to ensure consistent execution across the team.

Additional Responsibilities

·       Provides directions to pricing specialist for price changes

·       Establish strategic relations with key suppliers that lead to new consumer and industry insights

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. MBA preferred

Experience:

·       5 + years of category management experience preferred

·       8 + years of new product development experience preferred

·       Demonstrated leadership and ability to work with key stakeholders in organization to drive business results

·       Has an in-depth understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices (P&L, financial management, etc.), greater depth of specific category expertise may be required on a case-by-case basis

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 the ability to think analytically and solve problems through data.

·       Ability to influence others, negotiate, and collaborate.

·       Strong communication skills (written and verbal).

·       Excellent spreadsheet skills (Excel) are required.

·       Must be capable of understanding the retail environment.

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

Work Environment:

·       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.

·       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.