Associate Category Manager - Fresh

Raley's•West Sacramento, CA

14h

About The Position

The Raley’s Companies is a private, family-owned, and purpose-driven retail company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Since our founding in 1935, our store operations have grown to include more than 235 locations across four states and four Tribal Nations under eight well-known banners: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, Raley’s O-N-E Market, Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods and Bashas’ Diné Market. In addition, The Raley’s Companies bridges the divide between the physical and digital retail experiences through the operation of Apium Logistics, Fieldera and FieldTRUE. Built on a higher purpose, the organization and our over 21,000 employees are committed to quality offerings, exceptional service and doing right by our team members, communities, and planet. Today, the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Raley’s O-N-E Market banners carry on Tom’s legacy of innovation by serving as more than grocery stores. Our purpose of changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time, has made Raley’s a trusted source for nutrition and wellness. We strive to enhance transparency and education in the food system to help customers make more informed, healthy food choices. We also serve as the destination for the best fresh products, affordable offerings, and personalized service. As an Associate Category Manager, your purpose is to possess and apply developing knowledge of the category management process. The Associate Category Manager conducts buying and merchandising functions for specified categories, under the guidance of a Category Manager and Director. The Associate Category Manager will learn to apply category management principles to achieve category sales, profit, market share and cost objectives within their categories.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or a related field, plus two (2) years of related fresh department, merchandising and management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of buying, merchandising and retail operations.
Must demonstrate working proficiency with MS Office suite.
Ability to learn related software packages to fully utilize financial reports.
Excellent financial and analytical skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong prioritization skills.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
Self-initiative, a sense of urgency and innovation/creativity.
Ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relationships
Must be able to travel by car.
Depending on category supported, may need the ability to taste and consume product in category supported.
Telephone usage to communicate with internal customers, suppliers and manufacturers.
Sitting; frequent sedentary work.
Viewing computer monitor; average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare documents, enter data into computer system, read reports and from computer monitor.
Keyboarding; use of fingers to make small movements such as typing.
Occasional overnight travel for industry events.

Responsibilities

Conduct all buying and merchandising activities within specified service fresh categories.
Analyze business performance through financial reports including category and department scorecards, budget-to-actual reports, P&L’s, and market-level reports.
Maintain an understanding of current market trends, best buying practices, merchandising, pricing, and development of specified categories.
Collaborate to build strategic plans in support of category sales and margin goals.
Cultivate efficient assortment plans and effective shelf merchandising plans to support sales and profit goals, and report on performance improvement resulting from recommended actions.
Assist in the development of promotional plans for each category to drive sales and support sales and margin goals.
Monitor costs and develop pricing strategies by assessing category and item elasticities, evaluating competitive factors, and setting pricing rules to support sales and margin goals.
Manage promotional funds available from manufacturers to ensure the best possible costs and collect all funds available to achieve or exceed net margin targets.
Source and procure products with the goal of enhancing assortments and driving sales.
Learn to conduct the replenishment function as required to ensure product quality, availability, consistency of supply, and service level objectives, as well as apply cost-of-goods insights to drive increased efficiency.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with suppliers to evaluate products, equipment, supplies, and promotional offers.
Develop effective negotiating skills and negotiate the best costs with suppliers.
Work with suppliers and Raley’s supply chain to ensure product availability, consistency of supply, and service level objectives; also monitor and report supplier performance regarding price, quality, assortment, and service.
Participate in product research and development to drive innovation and product transformation within categories.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, paid weekly
Eligible for annual incentive bonus
Retirement Savings Plan - 401(k) including company contributions and matching funds
Tuition Reimbursement for qualified courses
Scholarship opportunities for continued education
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for yourself and eligible dependents
Paid time off
Family leave and time off
Life insurance
Wellness Programs (Raley’s Healthy Lifestyles)
Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax - commuter, childcare, and medical expenses)
Health Savings Account
Corporate store and discount programs (10% off groceries, free items)
Discounts to amusement parks, gym memberships, mobile phone plans, etc.
Employee Assistance Program (free financial, legal, and mental health services)
Charitable contribution opportunity and volunteer time off and community events
Pop up grocery market and all-you-can-eat fruit bar