Job Overview:

The Senior Category Manager (CM) is responsible for supporting the Category Director in developing and carrying out the Category Business Plan (CBP). Responsible for coordinating team activities that support multiple categories in a customer-facing business model. Through execution of the category strategy, the Senior Category Manager works to meet and exceed sales and margin expectations. As directed by the Category Director, the Sr Category Manager coordinates ad/promo priorities, refines assortment and presentation, and works with retail customers on pricing guidelines and tactics. Directs day-to-day activities of the Category Merch Specialist. The Sr Category Manager will also manage well-established categories or subcategories at the Center of Excellence (COE).

Job Responsibilities:

Category Business Planning:

·       Establishes the overall strategy to meet and exceed sales and margin expectations of a given category. Executes on strategies and initiatives; delivers against period, quarterly and annual forecast; provides input to the development of a strategic Category Business Plan (CBP).

·       Has management responsibility of categories or subcategories.

·       Develop innovative new products, programs, and processes to deliver industry differentiation within category.

·       Reviews competitive activity and adjusts programs and tactics accordingly.

·       Establishes, manages and disseminates quarterly sales targets by category.

·       Utilizes category scorecards and consumer insights to identify trends that lead to alignment of sales and profit goals and commitments.

·       Sets, reconciles and manages annual and quarterly promotional programs by category.

Financial Tools Analysis:

·       Provide recommendations for Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement Review and budgeting for category(s).

Pricing:

·       Partners with SSG pricing team to set pricing guidelines/tactics; reviews/recommends prices for national vendor items; develops and maintains sensitive items list.

·       Establishes pricing strategy and goals by category by marketplace.

·       Provides direction to pricing specialist for price changes. Actively reviews on everyday pricing targets by region/customer and recommends necessary adjustments based on pricing goals consistent with strategy.

Promotion:

·       Synthesizes market, supplier, and consumer information to identify national promo opportunities; provides input to departmental leadership on ad space allocations by department/banner (i.e. ad space plan); negotiates promo/display and ad terms for national deals.

·       Utilize promotion tools to achieve Category Business Plan.

Shelf Management, Assortment & Resets:

·       Reviews full assortment and develops plan; builds regional/banner assortment and presentation; reviews lines and new items with national vendors; reviews and approves national and local vendor recommendations; owns discontinue/markdown planning for national items; item and vendor setup. 

·       Leads development of shelf presentation (POG); works in collaboration with regional and banner merchants to collect feedback.

·       Is aware of impact of store clustering & demographics to make sound business decisions to support neighborhood market strategy.

Sourcing:

·       Understands the dynamics of sourcing; Reviews sourcing plans and gives input.

Negotiations:

·       Cultivates effective relationships with vendors and participates in national vendor negotiations.

·       Establishes and manages the vendor funds strategy, is responsible for national and local vendor approval, and classification.

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

·       Help develop contracts with input from legal.

·       Reconcile contract to performance.

People & Project Leadership:

·       Independently problem solves issues and leads projects for department and company 

·       Provides direction to Category Merch Specialists, Category Analysts and Category Managers at the COE in initiatives and day-to-day tasks; coaches and develops individuals identified as highly performing in the Specialist/CM role.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

·       5+ Category Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectre Daata, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications)

·       Previous experience in store operations or merchandising preferred

·       Has an in-depth understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices (P&L, financial management, etc).

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

·       Experience with syndicated data.

·       Experience writing and executing a detailed business plan.

·       Analytical Skills: Must have a strong knowledge base in supermarket retail and an understanding of consumer behavior in relation to product performance; must carry a detailed understanding of cause-effect relations between operational levers and performance (assortment/price vs. volume/margins) by utilizing financial, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and/or consumer research background. 

·       Strong planning and organizational skills.

·       Management Skills: Experience in successfully leading, motivating and monitoring performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to partner with the banners as a team.

·       Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside of the company. 

·       Technical skills: Well developed computer aptitude with proficient skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. You must be able to adapt to and learn new systems quickly.

·       Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to work successfully across all areas of the company; can successfully monitor performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to influence and lead effective partnerships with the banners; can thrive in a complicated matrix environment.

·       Innovation: Champions new ideas and initiatives and creates an environment that supports innovation; leverages fresh perspectives, breakthrough ideas, and new paradigms to create value in the market.

·       Demonstrate ability to understand and think strategically; develop and deliver category plans and programs that compliment both the corporate and departmental strategies leading to strong category sales and profit performance.

·       P&L Responsibilities: Proven understanding of financial reports, including prior experience with profit and loss (P&L) statement responsibility

·       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:

Office Roles:

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

·       Incumbents 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.  

·       Incumbents 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.