Category Manager

GREATER HOUSTON RETAILERS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION INC•Houston, TX

1d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager manages assigned categories within the Supply Chain team and is responsible for achieving financial and department goals. This role oversees buying functions for assigned products and serves as the resident expert for those products. The Category Manager builds supplier relationships and maximizes program opportunities for members while ensuring products are sourced and delivered at the lowest possible cost. The position reports to the VP of Supply Chain Operations and is based at the GHRA Warehouse and Distribution Center in Houston, Texas.

Requirements

Five years of retail or wholesale purchasing experience with manufacturers, distributors, and alternative buying sources.
Excellent analytical skills.
Very strong negotiation skills.
Excellent planning and organizational skills.
Good communication skills.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Excellent understanding of Microsoft Office.
Ability to stand or sit for extended periods.
Ability to work in front of a computer monitor for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Create and develop long-term plans and strategies for category development.
Build supplier relationships, assess supplier capabilities, and evaluate performance.
Negotiate annual programs, product costs, delivery terms, and payment terms for assigned categories.
Develop income and expense budgets and take responsibility for category revenue.
Manage vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding.
Manage category business plans, budgeted allowances, and margins.
Select new products and manage the process for new and discontinued items, including exit plans for discontinued inventory.
Identify emerging trends, brands, and items using lifestyle research, industry publications, supplier meetings, trade shows, and market data.
Develop planograms and recommendations based on results and market data.
Manage promotional and seasonal activity and merchandising selling events.
Manage warehouse inventory, where applicable, for slow-moving, discontinued, and zero-movement items, and develop plans to minimize them.
Develop and communicate regular reports on category item performance trends in operating markets.
Maintain essential item information, including cost, package, size, suggested retail price, and projected margins.
Monitor buying networks and trade channels for special buys, promotions, and new opportunities.
Manage marketing of assigned products and maximize category program funding for members, including retail pricing architecture.
Determine SKU offerings, including new and discontinued items.
Maintain executional standards to ensure vendor and member compliance.
Work with members, vendors, and internal departments to determine market needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.