Category Mgr- Meat and Seafood

BUSCH'S CAREER PAGE•Ann Arbor, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Busch’s is looking for a Category Manager for Meat and Seafood to join their family-owned Michigan team. This role involves developing and managing the Meat and Seafood categories to maximize sales, profit, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of fresh meat and seafood products, retail operations, merchandising, and financial management.

Requirements

Minimum 6 years of combined experience in meat and/or seafood retail operations, merchandising, buying, or category management.
Strong knowledge of fresh meat and seafood products, merchandising, production, product specifications, yields, costing, handling, food safety, and quality standards.
Strong buying, sourcing, vendor management, and negotiation skills.
Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage sales, gross profit, pricing, promotional performance, inventory, and shrink.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to translate data into actionable category strategies.
Proficient organization and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including written, verbal, listening, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence and work effectively across Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functional areas without direct authority.
Proficient computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word, email, reporting tools, and category management systems. Able to learn and effectively use proprietary applications and technology.
Demonstrated ability to balance short-term execution with planning 12 to 24 months into the future.
Ability and willingness to regularly visit Busch's stores, interact with store teams, evaluate category execution, and respond to business needs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, food industry management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the Meat and Seafood categories, including fresh, frozen, value-added, and prepared items, to maximize sales, gross profit, sell-through, and Guest satisfaction.
Develop annual and long-range category strategies for assortment, pricing, promotions, merchandising, and product innovation that align with Busch's strategic plan and strengthen our fresh-food differentiation.
Lead buying and sourcing activities, including product selection, negotiation, purchasing, and supplier management, to ensure quality, value, innovation, and consistent supply.
Analyze category performance, Guest needs and preferences, industry trends, and competitive activity to identify opportunities and make fact-based business decisions.
Develop and manage category financial plans and budgets. Monitor sales, gross profit, inventory, shrink, promotional performance, and other key measures, and make timely adjustments to achieve objectives.
Manage strategic vendor and supplier relationships, including regular business reviews, pricing, service levels, product quality, promotional support, and new product opportunities.
Lead annual, seasonal, and weekly promotional planning, including product selection, pricing, margin forecasting, merchandising direction, and coordination with Marketing and Operations.
Manage assortment and the new/discontinued item process to improve category productivity, differentiation, profitability, and Guest experience.
Partner closely with Operations to drive consistent execution of category strategies, regularly visit stores, evaluate results, gather feedback, and provide clear merchandising and product direction.
Partner with Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, the Category Analyst, and other internal teams to support category initiatives, reporting, testing, and business improvement opportunities.
Identify opportunities to improve product quality, food safety, inventory, shrink, yields, production methods, and operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
Maintain strong Meat and Seafood product expertise and industry knowledge while contributing ideas, recommendations, and best practices that improve the overall business.
Demonstrate behaviors that will win Guests for life.
Demonstrate personal accountability for meeting expectations, goals, deadlines, and quality of work.
Communicate clearly and in a timely manner and use constructive feedback to make improvements.
Work together as one team by recognizing accomplishments, demonstrating respect and appreciation, and actively helping others.
Execute with operational integrity by anticipating problems, taking preventative measures, and adapting to changes that improve our operations or Guest experience.
Consistently follow Busch's policies and procedures.
Share our passion for our products by maintaining strong product knowledge and actively seeking and sharing information with others.