Associate Category Manager - Fresh

U.n.f.i • Providence, RI

78d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary goal of the Associate Category Manager - Fresh is to support the merchandising strategy for assigned categories and the overall Category Management team. This role is intended to be a progression step to a Category Manager role and includes smaller scope category management tasks: managing and executing the promotional strategy for a smaller scope category, managing specific supplier communication, soliciting and approving promotional plans, managing category assortment and working with the category manager to support business planning tasks with suppliers and retailers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of internal Buying system is preferred.
• Solid negotiating skills.
• Possess good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people in person, via phone, and via electronic communication.
• Computer skills required include spreadsheet and database tools and electronic communication tools.
• Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities.
• Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.
• Analytical skills to measure sales performance, item performance within category and overall vendor funds management performance.
• Good judgment is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Support category business plans for assigned categories using all available resources, including analysis of both internal and syndicated data, manufacturer input and expertise, commodity reports, trade/industry news, consumer trends and customer feedback.
• Ensure that New Items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.
• Maintain relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements.
• Work with category manager to rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling cost of carrying inventory, shrink and spoilage in assigned categories.
• Responsible for working with Shelf Management and Category Manager to support timely plan-o-gram execution for assigned categories.
• Accurately Manage sell price including vendor cost, freight, BIV and active sell with the direction of the category manager lead or Director.
• Actively participate in promotional planning process, including Weekly Ads, Selling shows, Region programs, Long Term Promotional Pricing (SED) and Temporary Price Reductions.
• Negotiate with brokers and vendors on all aspects of category merchandising plans with the input of the Category Manager.
• Responsible for proofing all deals, communications, and advertising vehicles for accuracy for assigned categories.
• Work with Category Manager and Category Merchandising Specialist to validate plan execution and adjust future plans.
• Provide sales team with retailer needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and participating in meetings.
• Collaborate with Corporate Merchandising on local broker and vendor opportunities and concerns.
• Assist in developing purchasing path to ensure lowest possible cost of goods and handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals.
• Collaborate with Customer Service on any retail issues regarding missing allowances, product costs and fees.
• Collaborate with Dated Order Team to ensure orders are fulfilled correctly as requested or provide alternative solutions when that is not possible.
• Resolve internal and external customer requests and concerns with a high level of professionalism.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree