Associate Category Manager (Beverage)

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores•Oklahoma City, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for supporting and executing merchandising strategies across assigned product categories within a fast-paced convenience store environment. This role ensures that product offerings are optimized to meet customer needs, drive sales, and maintain profitability. Working closely with Area Merchandise Managers, marketing, replenishment, and space management teams, the Merchandising Planner helps to develop and implement tactical plans that align with business objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising, fashion merchandising, supply chain, economics, management or a related field is preferred.
HS Diploma or equivalent required
1-2 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or a related field, ideally within the retail or convenience store industry
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with merchandising or replenishment systems is a plus
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make actionable recommendations
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, robust Microsoft Excel Capabilities
Stable work history, good oral and verbal communications skills, team player, keen attention to detail, self-motivated, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and strong analytical skills, ability to identify relevant data sources and extract insights from data
Scheduling flexibility and travel availability as role/projects require
Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds
Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day category management activities, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure execution of merchandising strategies.
Lead vendor meetings, manage promotional planning, and oversee rebate tracking to optimize category performance.
Coordinate new product introductions, manage category updates, and handle item maintenance to ensure product availability and relevance in stores.
Conduct weekly and monthly business reviews, providing insights into category performance and recommending adjustments as needed.
Partner with marketing to develop promotional strategies and ensure accurate execution of marketing initiatives.
Support the execution of special projects, including ATLAS creation and other category-specific initiatives under supervision.
Resolve vendor service issues promptly, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with all stakeholders.
Collect and analyze data on pricing, rebates, and product proposals to support category reviews and decision-making processes.