Job Description

Overview:

Job Purpose

The Category Manager is responsible for managing multiple product categories with a focus on strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and supplier relationship management.

The Category Manager plays a key role in driving sales performance, improving profit margins, and ensuring product quality while contributing to promotions, community events, and reporting initiatives that support overall business goals.
Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

Category & Commodity Management

+ Oversee multiple categories at one time with a focus on commodity buying. + Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for category management, aligned with overall business objectives and marketing trends.
+ Maximizes sales and profit margins for category performance by developing strategies, optimizing product assortments, and ensuring competitive pricing.

Vendor & Contract Management

+ Identify and evaluate manufacturers, negotiate contracts, and establish relationships to secure the best terms and quality products.
Market & Trend Analysis
+ Conduct in store research to understand market dynamics, pricing trends, and competitor activity, ensuring informed decision-making.
+ Prepare and present regular reports on category performance and market insights to leadership, providing actionable recommendations based on data analysis.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

+ Work closely with other departments, including Food Service and Operations, to support product launches and promotional efforts. + Assist the department in planning, coordinating, and executing community events both online and offline.

Reporting & Data-Driven Insights

+ Develop monthly presentations and provide weekly updates for Operations and internal teams on purchasing initiatives. + Provide regular reports on Key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven recommendations.
+ Analyze costs and identify opportunities for savings, aiming to improve profit margins without compromising quality.

Additional Responsibilities

Uphold the mission, core values, and brand standards of the company by ensuring all Marketing practices reflect integrity, accountability, and operational excellence. Performs other projects/duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Qualifications

Required

+ Must have 5-10 years or more of relevant retail industry experience, preferably in category management or a closely related role. + Strong attention to detail.
+ Ability to work well in a team, collaborative and horizontal environment.
+ Comfortable using technology to accelerate efficiency.
+ Strong written and spoken negotiation and communications skills with exceptional customer service.

Preferred

+ Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.

Success Factors

Strategic Sourcing:

Consistently secures quality products at optimal cost through strong vendor relationships and market insight.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

Uses reporting and analysis to guide purchasing strategy and improve category performance.

Work Requirements

Work hours must be flexible. Depending on the circumstances, the position requires 24 hours a day availability, to include nights and weekends. Travel is required at all stores and facilities within the company's footprint. Travel is also required for training and development related to Royal Farms and industry changes.

Physical demands of the job are limited. Some long driving is involved. Some light bending, lifting, and squatting is required.
Pay Range: USD $80,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr.