Category Manager - Travel Plaza

Onvo•Scranton, PA

About The Position

Onvo is seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Manager to lead merchandising initiatives across its travel plazas. The role develops and executes category strategies, optimizes product assortment and pricing, manages vendor relationships, and drives profitable growth across assigned categories. It uses data-driven insights to improve the customer experience and category performance. The Category Manager works with store operations and cross-functional partners to execute merchandising programs, promotions, and product launches. The role includes regular store visits and travel to industry events, as well as analysis and presentation of category performance, sales, profitability, and inventory metrics.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, convenience retail, travel plazas, grocery, or related industries.
Demonstrated success developing and managing merchandise categories that drive sales and profitability.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret sales and inventory data and make strategic recommendations.
Strong negotiation, vendor management, and relationship-building skills.
Strong communication and presentation abilities.
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Ability to travel regularly to store locations and industry events, approximately 30–40%.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail reporting systems.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing, or a related field.
Experience in convenience retail, travel centers, fuel retail, grocery, or food service.
Familiarity with NetSuite and retail management systems.
Knowledge of category management principles, planogram development, and merchandising best practices.
Understanding of state alcohol regulations and category-specific compliance requirements.
Experience with retail software platforms such as JDA, Gilbarco Passport, PDI, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies that support sales, margin, and growth objectives.
Manage product assortment, item selection, planograms, product lifecycle decisions, and category optimization.
Ensure products are available at appropriate prices, locations, and times.
Analyze sales trends, customer purchasing behavior, and market conditions to identify growth opportunities.
Establish pricing strategies and margin targets; conduct competitive price surveys and recommend pricing actions.
Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Lead negotiations concerning product costs, rebates, promotional funding, marketing support, delivery schedules, and service agreements.
Monitor vendor performance and ensure suppliers meet company expectations and service standards.
Identify new products, emerging trends, and strategic vendor opportunities.
Plan and execute promotional programs and partner with Marketing and Operations to support execution.
Communicate promotional plans, product launches, and merchandising initiatives across the organization.
Evaluate promotional performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Work with store operations teams to ensure consistent execution of merchandising programs.
Visit stores to evaluate category performance, merchandising standards, pricing accuracy, and customer experience.
Support training on product knowledge, merchandising programs, and category objectives.
Collaborate with Operations, Marketing, Pricebook, Finance, and Leadership.
Analyze sales, profitability, inventory, and other category performance metrics.
Prepare and present regular business reviews and category performance reports.
Use data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations; serve as a subject matter expert for assigned categories and market trends.