Director, Category Management & Procurement

United Pacific•Long Beach, CA

About The Position

The Director of Category Management & Procurement leads United Pacific’s category management and procurement functions, supporting profitable growth by optimizing product assortments and ensuring retail products meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising, the Director provides strategic direction and executes programs at retail, using internal and external data to evaluate performance and identify opportunities. The role develops promotional and pricing strategies, improves product costs and vendor funding through negotiations, and manages vendor partnerships in alignment with company objectives. It works closely with operations and other stakeholders to ensure successful program execution across more than 600 convenience stores on the West Coast and in the Midwest. Travel to stores is required as needed. The Director leads and develops a high-performing team, oversees the category function’s monthly P&L, sets sales budgets and margin targets, and monitors results against financial goals. The role also oversees private-label growth, inventory performance, planograms and space planning, wholesale distributor relationships, and technology opportunities in the supply chain. It prepares monthly and quarterly presentations for executive management and participates in company-wide initiatives as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in procurement, category management, or merchandising in convenience stores, big-box retail, grocery, or a comparable retail environment.
At least 7 years in leadership roles, with a record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
Ability to inspire, motivate, and guide team members toward strategic goals.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a focus on long-term planning and execution.
Exceptional analytical skills and ability to interpret data to make informed business-growth decisions.
Proven supplier negotiation expertise, including securing favorable terms and building long-term partnerships.
Ability to understand customer and market needs and trends and translate them into product assortment, pricing, and placement strategies.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including collaboration across functions and presentations to executive leadership.
Strong financial acumen, including developing and managing budgets, analyzing financial reports, and making data-driven decisions.
Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and business needs and proactively identify opportunities.
Proficiency in procurement and category management software and tools, and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

MBA.

Responsibilities

Lead, innovate, and develop product assortment plans for more than 600 convenience stores across the West Coast and Midwest.
Use external syndicated data to identify trends, consumer behavior opportunities, and gaps in the retail offering.
Optimize store planograms and determine space plans to meet market and customer trends and maximize sales revenue.
Manage the wholesale distributor partner relationship and ensure service levels and contractual obligations are met.
Monitor inventory levels and turns to reduce retail voids and minimize obsolete product exposure.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team that encourages creative thinking and proactive problem-solving.
Oversee the private-label item mix value chain and identify opportunities to expand the portfolio.
Collaborate with brand marketing and loyalty teams to curate offers that drive loyalty adoption and retention.
Identify technology opportunities to enhance the supply chain and develop forward-looking assortment plans.
Own the category management function’s monthly P&L and keep financial targets on track.
Manage sales initiatives, cost strategies, promotional investment ROI, and vendor funding to drive profitability.
Set department and team sales budgets and margin targets aligned with company growth plans; review results and adjust tactics as needed.
Prepare monthly and quarterly presentations on category results and strategic recommendations for executive management.
Identify potential vendors, maintain vendor relationships, negotiate profitable contracts, and hold vendors accountable to agreed terms.
Travel to stores as needed to ensure satisfactory program implementation.
Participate in company-wide initiatives as needed.