Job Overview: The Category Manager is responsible for driving growth and profitability within assigned categories by leveraging advanced data analytics and strategic insights. Utilizing tools such as Nielsen data, the Category Manager will create and execute comprehensive category strategies to enhance sales, gross dollars, and market share. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills who can independently handle complex issues and devise innovative solutions to meet and exceed business objectives.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop and execute annual category business plans based on in-depth analysis of historical performance, market trends, and consumer insights. Utilize advanced analytics tools, including Nielsen data, to inform and refine strategies.
• Sales & Profit Optimization: Achieve or surpass sales and profit targets by implementing effective pricing, promotion, and assortment strategies. Conduct detailed analysis to assess the impact of pricing and promotional activities on category performance.
• Promotional Strategy: Design and manage a promotional calendar aligned with company strategies. Track and analyze the effectiveness of promotional activities in terms of sales, profit, and market share.
• Category Assortment & Management: Determine optimal product assortment and make decisions regarding new product introductions and discontinuations based on potential category impact. Design and recommend schematics and product adjacencies that enhance category performance.
• Performance Tracking: Maintain and analyze weekly, quarterly, and annual scorecards to monitor category performance. Utilize insights to drive continuous improvement and address any performance gaps.
• Vendor Relations: Serve as the primary contact for vendors, negotiating deals and providing business updates. Collaborate with procurement to ensure alignment between category strategies and inventory management.
• Plan-o-gram & Schematic Integrity: Collaborate with the schematic team to ensure that the latest plan-o-grams are consistently maintained across the entire category, including updates for new item cut-ins.
• Innovation: Collaborate with manufacturers and trade partners to implement a first-to-market strategy for major initiatives or new products. This approach will be refined through the Joint Business Planning process and reviewed during quarterly meetings with key strategic business partners.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with merchandising, store operations, and other departments to ensure cohesive execution of category plans. Attend vendor planning meetings and support corporate initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Store Visits & Observations: Regularly visit stores to assess the effectiveness of merchandising programs and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
• Team Leadership: Provide direction and support to office staff, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and initiatives.
• Market Intelligence: Stay informed about industry trends, emerging market opportunities, and competitive landscape to continuously refine category strategies.
• Category Insights: Conduct deep dives into category performance and consumer behavior to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Promotional Coordination: Coordinate promotional plans (ads and displays) and merchandising messages within the department as assigned by management.
• Reporting: Create and present regular reports on category performance, market trends, and strategic initiatives to senior management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Proven experience in category management within food retail, with a strong understanding of operations and merchandising.
• Experience with advanced data analytics tools, such as Nielsen, is highly desirable.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights to drive category performance.
• Strategic Thinking: Expertise in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve category objectives.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in financial analysis, including the ability to read and interpret profit and loss statements.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to decision-making.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with data analytics tools.
• Advanced knowledge of Category Business Planning and merchandising methodologies.
• Experience with procurement, logistics, and inventory management.

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

Work Environment:

Hybrid Role:

• This position follows a hybrid schedule working in office three days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

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 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.

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.