Category Manager - Private Brands

Coborn's, Inc.•Saint Cloud, MN

3d•$82,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Coborn’s Merchandising Team is seeking a Private Brand Category Manager to own a product category. This role involves optimizing product assortment, negotiating with suppliers, enhancing sales, and driving organizational growth. The ideal candidate will have a passion for merchandising, analyzing trends, and building strong relationships. Prior grocery retail experience is not required, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to make an impact on an employee-owned business and the communities it serves by strengthening the understanding of consumer trends.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field preferred.
Five years’ related experience in areas of category management, merchandising, or retail strategy; grocery experience preferred but not required.
Strong data analytical skills with experience using tools such as Excel or Power BI to make data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category growth strategies to maximize sales, market share, and profitability with a guest-centric approach aligning with consumer needs, preferences, and shopping behaviors.
Manage product assortment, ensuring the right mix of products, including core, seasonal, and new items, to minimize redundancy, enhance category performance and maximize sales.
Establish competitive pricing models, including everyday pricing, promotional pricing, and value perception.
Decide how products are displayed and organized to enhance visibility and increase purchases.
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to negotiate pricing, secure exclusive deals, promotional planning, and develop strategic partnerships.
Design and execute marketing and promotional campaigns to drive category growth, brand awareness, and maximize sales and profitability.
Analyze key performance indicators (KPI’s) to include sales, guest insights, and market trends to make data driven decisions that will improve margins, market share, and other areas of improvement within the category; continuously refine the category strategy.
Monitor competitor activities and emerging trends to identify opportunities and introduce new products and programs to keep the category competitive and relevant.
Work with suppliers, vendors, and internal marketing and operations teams to ensure effective category execution on programs that are high impact and easy to execute.
Manage category budgets and forecasts for sales, profit, inventory, and in stocks to deliver on the established annual performance targets.

Benefits

Medical Insurance with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
Dental and Vision Insurance
401(k) plan options – we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
Education benefits, including tuition discounts and scholarship programs
10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company-owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
Paid Military Leave
Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards, including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources
Get Paid Daily with DailyPay
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance, entertainment and more!
Tools, resources, and opportunities for career growth and development