Category Manager - Beef and Pork

Fresh Thyme Market•Aurora, IL

1d•$74,750 - $117,250•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager - Beef and Pork manages assigned categories to meet or exceed projected budgets for sales, profit, shrink, and inventory. The role serves as the direct liaison between stores and vendors, including the distribution center, and supports department managers through training and development and implementation of company programs and initiatives. The position follows a hybrid schedule: Monday through Wednesday in the Downer's Grove, Illinois office and Thursday through Friday remotely. Store visits are expected to require 5–10% travel. The role requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent grocery-industry experience and at least six years of professional experience. Preferred qualifications include five to seven years of grocery category product experience in natural foods, experience in the natural foods industry, meat-category experience, and financial, mathematical, statistical, or consumer-research experience. The position offers a base pay range of $74,750 to $117,250, with incentive bonus opportunities that may vary based on individual and company performance. Full-time team-member benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance. All team members receive paid parental leave, access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, and a 401(k) plan with employer match. Other offerings mentioned include weekly pay, scheduling flexibility, a team-member discount, career-growth opportunities, recognition programs, and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent grocery-industry experience.
At least six years of professional experience.
Maintain the highest level of customer service.
Ability to adapt to high-volume retail and work in a cross-functional team environment.
Initiative and sound decision-making, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Flexibility to adapt to varied situations.
Advanced attention to detail and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Excellent written communication and documentation skills.
Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for maintaining effective business relationships with peers, senior management, customers, and vendors.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Ability to multitask and strong organizational skills.
Ability to lead, support, and contribute to team goals.
Ability to work varied hours and days as business dictates.
Familiarity with health department guidelines and regulations for grocery retail.
Familiarity with category business planning and understanding of marketing and merchandising practices.
Ability to read and interpret profit-and-loss statements and understand how managed categories affect results.
People skills and patience for training and communicating with customers and stores.

Nice To Haves

Five to seven years of grocery category product experience in natural foods processes and procedures.
Previous experience in the natural foods industry.
Meat-category experience.
Financial, mathematical, statistical, and consumer-research experience to interpret how internal and external factors influence financial results.

Responsibilities

Create and implement category pricing, promotions, assortment, and shelf schematics using performance analysis, industry practices, and consumer trends.
Develop annual category business plans and budgets based on company and department initiatives, consumer trends, and market trends.
Negotiate and collaborate with vendors on pricing, assortment, promotions, advertising, services, calendars, and support; serve as the primary vendor contact for assigned categories.
Review category and department financials monthly and take action to achieve budgets, sales, and margin expectations.
Ensure store inventory levels meet company standards and report discrepancies.
Manage category-level shrink controls.
Authorize new items; research vendors, request and analyze quotes, select products, and implement product placement.
Research, develop, and implement merchandising and advertising plans supporting category and department business plans.
Help ensure stores meet company and health-code standards.
Attend key vendor planning meetings.
Manage and implement local and seasonal items for new and existing stores.
Design schematics and recommend category adjacencies.
Analyze post-promotion sales and profit results.
Maintain and review price files and competitive price checks to support competitive pricing in each market.
Support stores with shelf and display decisions.
Visit stores as needed to observe merchandising program results.
Communicate merchandising and advertising plans, price changes, projections, and other relevant information to stores, operations, vendors, support offices, and the department.
Support training and development for store Department Managers and Operational Specialists.
Coordinate with procurement on category and promotional plans to achieve service levels and optimal inventory positions.
Work with operations and other departments to implement programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.