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Job #: 1062
Title: Category Manager - Tobacco Products
Region: East Coast
Compensation: $180,000.00
Description: Compensation: $180K; (DOE, base + bonus)

Position Overview
The primary function of a Category Manager is to provide calculated leadership in reaching or exceeding corporate and strategic goals related to assigned categories. This position will define, develop, and implement tactical business marketing plans with key cross functional stakeholders, utilizing leadership principles that will aid in the partnership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Active management of category performance and attainment of goals in margin, sales, and growth for assigned categories.
  • Develop and execute category plans that are aligned with and support corporate goals and strategies. Use consumer research and analytics to ensure that the customer perspective is included in all plans.
  • Manage category programs to company guidelines including P&L, category management, and cross-functional communication and leadership.
  • Define the category role, strategies, tactics, and opportunities required in the market space and price, plan assortment, product options and promotions, increase market share, contribute to category growth, and meet and anticipate the current and future consumer demands
  • Lead product-planning cycle to ensure the completion of key category initiatives.
  • Responsible for maintenance and updates of all schematics and store floor plans. To include product assortment, position, and oversight of assigned category captains to create and deliver accurate schematics and reset projects.
  • Develop, monitor and re-forecast financial plans and budgets that support the corporate financial plan and meet category sales and profit budgets.
  • Develop the category's target or hurdle rates for quantitative / qualitative measures of performance.
  • Partner with vendors to complete primary and secondary insights utilizing consumer studies, pricing optimization, price sensitivity, shopper cycle trends etc. to optimize category performance.
  • Review product pricing and adjust as needed to meet company goals while remaining competitive within the markets of operation. This includes evaluating gross margins dollars, gross margin percent, and category contribution to sales at a company and store level.
  • Ensure successful implementation of all plans through effective communication to key stakeholders, development of necessary support systems and by obtaining buy in from the appropriate levels within the organization
  • Ensure Operations teams are aligned with category plans and assortment decisions.
  • Provide overall direction and support for cross functional partnership with Operations to monitor and assess individual work and ensure high standards of excellence.
  • Lead cross functional projects that support the overall success of company’s initiatives with leaders, team members and stakeholders
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, or Hospitality Management preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years' experience in category management, product development, or brand management within a convenience store (or other format which retails tobacco products)
  • Proficiency in contract negotiation
  • Proficient in Microsoft office.
  • Must have a people first mentality; every customer and team member deserve a great experience.
  • Strong accounting and analytical skills with proficiency in contract negotiation
  • Strong attention to detail with the proven ability to solve problems by analyzing them, identify the root cause and recommending an appropriate solution.
  • Excellent organization and communication skills, working in a team-oriented environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to motivate and influence others.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present to groups.
  • Working knowledge of customer behavior and marketing.
  • Experience in analytics and data as it relates to product performance and consumer behavior.
  • Ability to work with varying personality types and modify delivery to educate in a manner that transcends.
  • Ability to remain flexible to changing business needs and react to those needs in a professional positive manner.
  • Resourceful self-starter works well independently as well as part of a team.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to travel as business needs require.

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