“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

Compensation: ~$165K (base + bonus) Flexible; DOE

Position Summary:

The purpose of the Director of Category Management is to lead a team of category managers, ensuring each category aligns with the overall strategy of the business. This role is crucial for delivering the operating plan targets for the client's network of convenience stores. Main responsibilities include overseeing the development of category strategies and ensuring their effective integration and execution across all stores for the benefit of consumers. The Director is essential for driving retail success by optimizing product offerings, enhancing customer satisfaction, and contributing significantly to the business's profitability.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of annual category plan for the managed business categories following standards of the company, Category Management Association (CMA) and National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
• Plans and leads the category management team to execute a cycle of optimization efforts to assortment, pricing, macro and micro space planning and the annual promotional calendar. Ultimate measure of success is for the company's product assortment to grow ahead of competitors in the channel, proven by external metrics from Nielsen and Circana.
• Develops and maintains an effective network of suppliers and partners motivated to support the company’s growth efforts and innovate together for the benefit of the chain’s consumers.
• Monitor and analyze sales data, customer reactions, and market trends to make informed decisions that boost category performance.
• Responsible for the monthly reporting of profit and losses results and the root causes for the business financial results for each indicator.
• Support Marketing Leadership in the creation of the business plan cycles as applicable. Ensures the category plans align with the wider company’s objectives, annual and strategic plans driving the expected sales and profit growth levels for the company operations.
• Expertise in interpreting market research to understand consumer preferences, competitive landscape, and market opportunities.

 Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or equivalent Required. Graduate degree in business or marketing or equivalent preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Retail Category Management with at least 5 years leading teams of category managers, brand managers or key account managers at retail or consumer packaged goods distribution. Proven history of accountability over fast moving consumer goods performance.
• Sound knowledge of Convenience Retail business processes including proficiency in the management of the category management cycle.
• Proven expertise in the retail fundamentals of buying, assorting, placement, merchandising, and operational processes is a huge plus.
• Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Retail store operations experience is desired.
• Certification in Category Management from CMA is a plus.  
• Knowledgeable and experienced with PDI.
• Proficiency in using business intelligence software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to visualize data and generate actionable insights.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
• Mastery of Excel, including advanced functions like PivotTables, VLOOKUP, and macros, to manipulate and analyze data efficiently.