Category Merchant Manager

Amazon•Austin, TX

About The Position

Supports Whole Foods Market’s Produce category merchandising workstreams. Supports program execution in partnership with marketing, e-commerce, operations, finance, and technology teams. Reviews category success, assortment, and financial health. Maintains and updates assortment. Monitors the online catering program, providing innovation to drive the evolution of the catering program at Whole Foods Market and Amazon. Key job responsibilities Strategize & Innovate: Create data-driven customer centric category strategies that leverage customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis. Drive Success: Take ownership of the financial performance for your category. Develop and execute pre-season strategies that align with our business goals. Curate Assortments: Collaborate with suppliers to bring the best products to our stores and online channels. Lead line reviews, assortment planning, and item forecasting. Pricing & Promotion: Help shape pricing strategies that balance profitability with customer value. Work with marketing teams to support impactful promotional events. Merchandising: Help shape merchandising strategies that optimize customer experience. Work with partner teams to define impactful merchandising standards. Supplier Relationships: Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers. Negotiate for early access to new products, exclusive items, and competitive costs. Item Management: Maintain accurate item level data in partnership with support teams that adhere to regulatory compliance. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with E-Commerce, Merchandising Planning, Operations, Procurement, and other teams to ensure smooth execution of category goals. Analyze & Adapt: Monitor category performance and adapt strategies based on data insights. Lead testing initiatives to continuously improve our offerings. Brand Advocacy: Consistently represent and promote our brand values, products and mission, acting as a trusted representative internally and externally. Mentorship: Share your knowledge and experience by coaching new team members. Be a resource for the wider team on category management best practices. Skills: Category Management Skill Set: Knowledge of retail business, including all aspects of pricing, merchandising, retail operations, labor impacts, negotiation, and financial analysis and reporting including new product development and management. Analytical Skills: Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing business trends, and assessing underlying drivers of results. Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Adept at learning new tools and systems. Leadership & Collaboration: Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence outcomes in a complex, fast-paced environment. Creativity & Problem-Solving: A creative mindset with a knack for solving problems and managing ambiguity. Ability to multitask and thrive under pressure. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences. Strong listening, empathy, and partnership skills to work cross-functionally and build trust.

Requirements

Category Management Skill Set: Knowledge of retail business, including all aspects of pricing, merchandising, retail operations, labor impacts, negotiation, and financial analysis and reporting including new product development and management.
Analytical Skills: Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing business trends, and assessing underlying drivers of results.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Adept at learning new tools and systems.
Leadership & Collaboration: Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence outcomes in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Creativity & Problem-Solving: A creative mindset with a knack for solving problems and managing ambiguity. Ability to multitask and thrive under pressure.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences. Strong listening, empathy, and partnership skills to work cross-functionally and build trust.
Bachelor's degree, or 4+ years of equivalent experience
Experience with project management
Understanding of perishable supply chain with a focus on culinary products.
Ability to travel (up to 25% of time) to visit suppliers and support regional teams.
Commitment to the highest level of customer service and a passion for excellent food.
Commitment to the principles and core values of Whole Foods Market.
Experience in food retail, especially perishable or prepared/deli categories.

Responsibilities

Create data-driven customer centric category strategies that leverage customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
Take ownership of the financial performance for your category. Develop and execute pre-season strategies that align with our business goals.
Collaborate with suppliers to bring the best products to our stores and online channels. Lead line reviews, assortment planning, and item forecasting.
Help shape pricing strategies that balance profitability with customer value. Work with marketing teams to support impactful promotional events.
Help shape merchandising strategies that optimize customer experience. Work with partner teams to define impactful merchandising standards.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers. Negotiate for early access to new products, exclusive items, and competitive costs.
Maintain accurate item level data in partnership with support teams that adhere to regulatory compliance.
Work closely with E-Commerce, Merchandising Planning, Operations, Procurement, and other teams to ensure smooth execution of category goals.
Monitor category performance and adapt strategies based on data insights. Lead testing initiatives to continuously improve our offerings.
Consistently represent and promote our brand values, products and mission, acting as a trusted representative internally and externally.
Share your knowledge and experience by coaching new team members. Be a resource for the wider team on category management best practices.