Category Manager, Prepared Foods

Good Food Holdings Companies • Portland, OR

17d • $80,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

New Seasons Market is seeking a Category Manager for Prepared Foods to lead the overall direction, growth, and execution of the Prepared Foods program. This role provides leadership, direction, and drives sales for our Prepared Foods departments. The Category Manager will manage and develop the Assistant Category Manager of Sushi (Future) and will be accountable for the financial performance of all areas of the Prepared Foods program, including achieving sales, margin, and waste goals. The position is responsible for creating an inspiring customer experience in our Prepared Foods / Deli departments and providing leadership in line with company values, promoting a positive and progressive work environment. This is a management/leadership position aligned with the company's mission, vision, values, and policies.

Requirements

• Experience in a multi-unit, high growth retail or similar environment required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in operations of a multi-unit food service environment, with strong financial and operational acumen and demonstrated success in running and growing a food service department required.
• Previous staff management experience required.
• Previous retail or food / beverage industry experience required.
• Previous experience with program development in a food service environment required.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, with skills to learn new computer programs and systems.
• Proven experience driving and executing strategic initiatives and projects that achieve measurable business results.
• Collaborative, strategic thinker and problem solver, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Skills to create effective communication tools, including but not limited to: reports, procedure manuals, staff action plans, merchandising and training documents.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with ability to respond to urgent job responsibilities as they arise and flexible when priorities redirect.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle required, with ability to travel regularly to store locations, trade shows and other off-site locations throughout West Coast.

Nice To Haves

• Previous food and/or grocery specific industry experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary or Business Management or related fields or equivalent experience preferred.
• Prior experience with a food service/inventory/recipe database and history working with the systems reporting and analysis capabilities highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages and provides oversight to all areas of the team, directly managing the Assistant Category Manager of Sushi (Future), including review writing, scheduling, and providing ongoing coaching, development, and feedback.
• Assesses, prioritizes, and delegates tasks and workflow.
• Leads the Prepared Foods (Deli / Kitchen) program to ensure that the overall company’s objectives are being met regarding financial objectives, vendor partnerships, product assortment, and supply-chain.
• Develops a menu mix that meets company goals of variety, innovation, and margin targets.
• Builds a culture of quality products and selection that is best in the industry, tailored to meet the needs of each of the neighborhoods we serve.
• Consistently reviews assortment and product selection to ensure we are meeting our company objective to be the “ultimate neighborhood grocery store.”
• Works with Merchandising leadership to identify and implement efficiencies and strategic innovations.
• Communicates program expectations to ensure successful store execution.
• Maximizes sales and margin potential for Prepared Foods department.
• Communicates a clear vision on financial priorities.
• Firmly establishes the Prepared Foods merchandising strategy allowing for some “freedom within a framework”.
• Designs programs and develops strategies that assist stores in achieving financial goals, including sales goals, margin targets and waste improvement.
• Creates user-friendly programs that are clearly communicated, easily understood and executed by stores.
• Partners with store department managers and merchandising team to quickly resolve issues impacting store operations, in stock conditions, inventory, margin, waste and store conditions.
• Identifies and communicates best practices, with support of store leadership teams.
• Monitors and performs routine analysis of categories, individual menu items and program performance, making recommendations and changes that keep us relevant and financially sound.
• Completes period end financial reporting and development of proposed action items.
• Develops and champions programs that support our local food economy.
• Helps to build and nurture local supplier relationships.
• Ensures the cultivation of strong relationships with our vendor partners, upholding our Pledge to Vendors and ensuring we are the “best place to do business”.
• Ensures our vendors grow as we grow and provides appropriate assistance so they can achieve their full potential.
• Provides guidance to the Prepared Foods team about changing customer trends.
• Gathers insights from internal and external resources to enable fact-based decision making.
• Drives innovation and the spirit of bold thinking that gives New Seasons Market a competitive edge.
• Collaborates with store leadership teams and serves as a resource for the development of Prepared Foods Managers.
• Provides insightful, helpful and consistent performance feedback.
• Assists with Prepared Foods design and lay-out in the new store planning process.
• Participates in CAPEX process to drive sales.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 30% staff shopping discount
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• Disability benefits
• 401(k) program
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Supplemental leave pay (such as parental or bereavement)
• Store incentive program based on financial & operational goals
• Paid time for volunteering at a 501(c)3 non-profit
• Discounts on some forms of public transportation
• Adoption assistance
• Up to $40 reimbursement for dinner out or New Seasons Market groceries for their birthday.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree