Dry Grocery Category Manager - Hybrid, Stillwater, MN

United Natural Foods Inc•Stillwater, MN

46d•$88,400 - $143,300•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share while aligning with overall division and corporate merchandising goals. What does it mean to be part of the Category Merchandising team? Whether it's overseeing produce, bakery/deli, meat, center store, general merchandise, health and beauty, this team manages and drives a category for the organization. A role in category merchandising involves business planning, financial analysis, pricing, participating in review of assortment, shelf management, advertising promotions, negotiations with suppliers and sourcing. A 100% unique approach, proven to increase sales and profitability. It's having the right assortment of products, based on your customers' demographics and lifestyle. Solid category strategies. Better customer satisfaction. More efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent relevant work experience in food retail considered
Previous store operations experience or similar role with strong exposure to operations and merchandising approaches
Familiarity with Category Business Planning
Experience with procurement, logistics, and inventory management
Strong understanding of merchandising methodologies, store operations, and financial management (including P&L interpretation).
Financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research knowledge to analyze internal/external drivers of results
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to take initiative and make sound, timely decisions
Strategic planning, organization, and project management skills
Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to build and maintain effective business relationships
Relationship management and negotiation skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Internet research tools

Responsibilities

Develops annual category business plans, including sales and gross profit projections, based on historical performance, market trends, and competitive analysis.
Creates and maintains pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and product assortments by category and zone to optimize sales, profit, and customer experience.
Manages vendor relationships, including negotiations, new item authorizations, line discontinuations, and allocation of vendor funding to maximize profitability.
Designs schematics and recommends adjacencies to strengthen category roles and departmental performance.
Plans and coordinates ads, displays, and merchandising programs across stores, ensuring alignment with departmental and divisional strategies.
Conducts post-promotional and ongoing performance analysis at item, category, and department levels, maintaining scorecards to track results against goals.
Collaborates cross-functionally with procurement, merchandising, store operations, and corporate teams to implement initiatives and ensure inventory and service level targets are met.
Serves as the primary point of contact for vendors within assigned categories, attending planning meetings and ensuring effective communication of plans.
Regularly visits stores to assess program execution and identify opportunities for improvement.
Supports and implements corporate initiatives within assigned categories.
Performs other duties as assigned.