“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

Location: Southwest

Total Compensation: ~$120K (base + bonus); Flexible; DOE

Client Marketing Department is recruiting for the position of Category Manager– Center Store. In this role, the selected candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Develops and executes category plans that are aligned with and support corporate goals and strategies. Uses consumer research to ensure that the consumer demands are included in all plans. Ensures annual category planning process drives continuous improvement.
• Ensure Category Planning is aligned with category plans and assortment decisions. Utilizes pricing and promotional tools to develop and implement Category promotional and pricing strategies. Manage cost and retail pricing strategies.
• Leads project-planning cycle to ensure the completion of key category initiatives. Develops, monitors and re-forecasts financial plans and budgets that support the corporate financial plan. Develops the category’s target or hurdle rates for quantitative / qualitative measures of performance.
• Develops and nurtures strategic vendor alliances required to identify synergies, promote mutual growth, maximize resources, ensure consumer focus and capitalize on market opportunities. Works cross functionally with logistics and suppliers to identify best supply chain management principles.
• Works with marketing and operations personnel / departments and available industry resources to conduct consumer research needed to meet category objectives.
• Conducts competitive market research required to maximize, monitor, evaluate and benchmark the progress of the category business plans and financial performance.
• Manages, develops and evaluates the Category associates. Provides opportunities for personal and professional growth for Team and Department members.
• Works with Operations and the other Category Managers to optimize space allocations and category performance.
• Works with the Marketing Director to maximize the impact of advertising funds and resources in promoting the categories. Develops and executes advertising/promotional programs designed to grow the categories and support corporate initiatives.
• Works with Finance to drive improvement of analytical tools that assist in category planning and execution (space, price, assortment, promotion), direct product profitability analysis and budgeting/re-forecasting.
• Works cross-functionally with other key departments in the development and execution of category plans and tactics.
• Develops and provides to management reports on category performance, issues and opportunities.

Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree highly desirable
• Three to five years of retail category management experience
• Excellent organizational, analytic and project planning skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and to work independently
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Purchasing experience
• Experience managing work groups
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of PC applications – Microsoft Office, Internet, etc.
• Advanced Excel skills required, Access database and BW navigation skills a plus