Category Buyer - Dairy/Grocery

The Fresh Market Inc • Greensboro, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Fresh Market has an opening for a Category Buyer - Dairy/Grocery in its Store Support Center. The Category Buyer supports the creation, development, execution, and financial performance of an assigned category, promoting the category portfolio to maximize consumer appeal, increase sales and profitability, and drive sustainable growth.

The role develops SKU-level demand plans, collaborates with distributors on service levels and costs, manages procurement and allocation, maintains cost data accuracy, and works with Retail Category Management and Own Brands on product forecasting and lifecycle transitions. It also monitors new-product sales and builds historical data to inform future launches. Travel for trade shows and store visits is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 4–7+ years of Category Management or related experience.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the grocery business and its systems and processes.
• Experience understanding consumer demand in a fast-paced retail or grocery environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with peers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong merchandising, product, and marketing skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiating, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel for trade shows and store trips.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated skills with MS Office applications.
• Project management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience utilizing Nielsen and/or IRI.
• Experience with MicroStrategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop SKU-level demand plans by analyzing sales trends, promotions, vendor agreements, and presentation minimums.
• Work with distributors to improve service levels and negotiate product costs, vendor funds, and non-resale goods costs.
• Manage product procurement, allocation, and in-store inventory targets by category.
• Ensure cost data accuracy in the database.
• Collaborate with Retail Category Management and Own Brands on forecasting new items, transitions, and discontinuations.
• Track new-product sales and build historical data for future launches.
• Travel for trade shows and store trips.

Benefits

• Team Member discount up to 40%.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance available for individual, spouse, partner, and family.
• 401(k) contribution and match for part-time and full-time team members.
• Personal time off and additional time-off purchase plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level