The Category Manager has overall responsibility for developing, coordinating and implementing programs within assigned category areas to achieve corporate goals by maximizing sales and gross margin dollars.
This position builds and maintains productive relationships with vendors that are mutually beneficial.
Qualifications: Small format retail environment experience is a must Must possess thorough understanding of market and sales data Development, rollout and execution of promotional activity related to assigned categories Thorough understanding of planograms, adjacencies and product management is key Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) Must possess the ability to produce timely deliverables and manage multiple and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment MicroSoft Office Experience is a must Strong presentation/selling skills Possess the ability to manage and persuade at all levels of the organization Responsibilities: Pricing & Marketing: Sets competitive pricing points and adjusts the pricing to increase sales and clear stagnant items from inventory Reviews and analyzes sales and gross profit contributions for each category and individual product movement within categories Assist in development of store layouts and adjacencies on store resets and store design Develops category planograms and ensure stores maintain planogram integrity as well as periodically assisting in setting planograms Balances projected forecasts and actual sales Creates trend forecasts and implements sales plans Partners with buyers and vendors to expand successful product lines, and implements exit strategies for unsuccessful or unpopular merchandise Markets a product or product line to include pricing and availability balanced with consumer demand Keeps informed of new products and programs by competitive store visits, vendor contacts and trade articles Analyzes results of promotional activity within assigned categories Work with Loyalty Manager to cross market promotional activity via the Rewards app Vendor Management: Manages vendor relationships including selection of vendors, negotiation of prices, delivery and payment terms Works with vendors on new products, discontinued products, in and out distributions, additional demands, promotions, reduction of out of stocks and processing credits and returns Partners with distributors to minimize cost and maximize margins in assigned categories Fosters positive and productive vendor relationships to ensure in-store pricing and marketing are in sync with company goals Develops and coordinates promotional programs, advertising and POS with vendors and ensures communications and implementation at store level Communicates and negotiates the best programs available through suppliers and vendors Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree preferred (or equivalent experience) 2 years Category Manager (emphasis on Beer & Cold Vault)