Category Manager III

Hy-Vee, Inc. • Ankeny, IA

3d

About The Position

General Function: Responsible for proper replenishment and negotiation of assigned products.

Requirements

• Good computer skills and spreadsheet abilities.
• Extensive understanding in math and/or statistics.
• Must be able to handle interruptions with ease.
• Good verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate information.
• Excellent purchasing, pricing, and market knowledge, and inventory control.
• Good customer relations, interpersonal, and telephone etiquette presenting a positive representation of PDI to inside and outside contacts.
• Good understanding of market trends.
• Attention to detail and ability to work accurately with figures.
• Good organizational, problem solving, and administrative skills.
• High school education or equivalent required.
• 2 years' experience in related food industry required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, business, and math or related area preferred.

Responsibilities

• Negotiates special buys and development of promotional items that produce extra sales and profit for both PDI and the customer.
• Responds in a timely manner to customer requests for special orders, ads and events, and coordinates execution.
• Identifies and implements cost reduction and/or revenue enhancements in the distribution chain.
• Monitors and sells short code product.
• Communicates with all departments and improves the overall profit of the parties involved.
• Stays informed on commodity markets that are directly affected by items purchased.
• Utilizes DFIO exposure to support informed buying decisions.
• Maintains responsibility for profitability assigned categories
• Contributes to ad writing process through ad quotes, ad actuals, and ad movement.
• Approves new items including unbiased judgment on what new items to bring in, holding vendors accountable for items that do not sell, and enforcing the 90-day trial period and/or determining if items need more time. Also evaluates the movement of other items in the category to notice when sales have dropped.
• Communicates new items and product availability with Hy-Vee leadership, customer service, customers, and warehouse via email and click and send.
• Demonstrates teamwork with the vendors to maximize fill rates.
• Participates in Buyers’ meetings weekly.
• Demonstrates leadership by finding solutions to benefit the operation.
• Determines and maintains proper fill rate for each individual item. Factors such as customer needs, seasonality, and standard deviation percentage will properly be taken into account.
• Takes advantage of forward buys considering the shelf life, storage facilities constraint, and logistics of the transportation and warehouse departments.
• Visits customers at the store to determine needs, expectations, introduce new programs, and to establish good customer relations as needed.
• Attends seminars, food shows, walks competition, and store grand openings as needed
• Other duties as assigned by management.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees