Category Specialist - Fresh Food

bp•Louisville, KY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Category Specialist – Fresh Food, you will play a pivotal role in crafting the strategic direction and execution of fresh food offerings within convenience retail. This role goes beyond traditional category management by integrating food innovation, product development, and beverage optimization to deliver a differentiated and competitive customer experience. You will collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams—including R&D, marketing, operations, and supply chain—as well as external partners and vendors to drive category performance, optimize assortment and pricing strategies, and lead innovation in both food and proprietary beverage offerings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in retail or category management; experience in convenience, grocery, or QSR preferred.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Proven ability to negotiate and manage vendor relationships.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Understanding of key category performance indicators (e.g., gross margin, return on investment, inventory turns, basket size).
Effective communicator and collaborator across departments.
Ability to synthesize data and translate insights into actionable plans.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Execution Support the development and execution of category business plans across assigned fresh food and beverage product areas.
Lead promotional planning and pricing strategies to drive sales, margin, and customer engagement.
Monitor category performance and maintain scorecards to track key metrics; recommend and implement corrective actions as needed.
Vendor & Partner Management Manage vendor relationships, including contract negotiations, rebate agreements, and promotional execution.
Collaborate with suppliers and co-manufacturers to ensure quality, innovation, and speed-to-market for new and existing products.
Product Innovation & R&D Integration Partner with Food R&D teams to identify and develop new fresh food concepts based on consumer insights, culinary trends, and operational feasibility.
Support product testing, sensory evaluations, and pilot programs to validate new offerings before full-scale rollout.
Ensure alignment between category goals and innovation pipeline to drive long-term growth.
Proprietary Beverage Optimization Work closely with beverage teams to enhance the performance of proprietary beverage programs, including coffee, fountain, and specialty drinks.
Analyze sales data and customer feedback to refine beverage recipes, equipment placement, and promotional strategies.
Identify opportunities to integrate fresh food and beverage pairings to increase basket size and customer satisfaction.
Operational & Financial Management Oversee inventory levels for both proprietary and national brands, resolving overages or shortages to maintain in-stock excellence.
Manage category budgets, including purchase orders, invoice processing, and vendor estimates.
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide insights to inform future strategy and innovation.
Market & Consumer Insights Stay informed on industry trends, competitive activity, and evolving consumer preferences in fresh food and beverages.
Leverage insights to identify whitespace opportunities and guide strategic decision-making.