Purpose

Strategically manages their categories to increase sales, gross dollars, and market share versus prior year and to meet or exceed projected numbers.  Creates and implements pricing, promotion and assortment for each assigned category, based on detailed analysis of past performance and results, industry best practices, and consumer trends. This level is considered a fully experienced level.  Incumbents are able to independently handle complex issues effecting assigned complex categories and create innovative solutions.

This is a hybrid position located out of Stillwater, Minnesota.

Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities

·       Creates yearly category business plan based on detailed analysis of previous results and market trends. 

·       Meets or exceeds projected sales and profit contribution.

·       Creates detailed pricing strategy by zone by category and maintains approach throughout the year.

·       Creates and implements a promotional calendar by major category, which supports division merchandising strategy.  Tracks results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit and share

·       Design schematics and recommend adjacencies that support the role of the category.

·       Participate, influence and recommend adjacencies.

·       Determines the appropriate product assortment based on the category strategies.  Authorizes new items entering the market and discontinue lines based on potential contribution to the category and department.

·       Maintains weekly, quarterly and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars and share of each category.

·       Measures total contribution to the entire department.

·       Manages and maximizes categories to achieve most efficient use of vendors’ dollars.

·       Creates sales and gross profit projections at the category level, rolling up to department and division projections quarterly and yearly.

·       Conducts in depth post-promotional analysis at the item and category level.

·       Plans ads and displays in support of the category plans and total department initiatives.

·       Coordinates and communicates between stores, merchandising and other departments in the division.

·       Acts as primary contact within division for all vendors in categories assigned.

·       Meets with vendors on a consistent basis for deal negotiation and business updates.

·       Works closely with procurement function.  Communicates category and promotional plans to ensure desired service levels and optimum inventory position achieved.

·       Coordinates promotional plans (ads and displays), and merchandising messages within department as assigned by management.

·       Attends key vendor planning meetings.

·       Works in conjunction with others in department, across the division, and with corporate merchandising to facilitate implementation of programs.

·       Visits stores regularly to observe results of merchandising programs.

·       Supports and implements Corporate initiatives.

·       Direct office support staff

Job Requirements
Relevant Experience, Education, Certification, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 ·     Bachelor’s degree preferred.   Relevant work experience in food retail preferred.

·       Previous store operations experience or similar experience where a strong understanding of operations and merchandising approaches has been gained including P&L and financial management

·       Financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results.

·       Ability to read and interpret profit and loss statement and understand how the categories managed are effected.

·       Possess strong analytical and problems solving skills and be experienced in taking initiative and making decisive yet appropriate decisions.

·       Familiarity with Category Business Planning, procurement, logistics and inventory management.

·       Proficient with computers (Excel, Word, Power Point and Internet)

·       Excellent planning, organizing, relationship management and strategy development skills.

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

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

Physical Environment 

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

·       Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.

·       Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the course of normal workday.

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

·       Some travel may be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws.  The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.