Retail Category Manager

Nassau Candy•Hicksville, NY

34d

About The Position

The Retail Category Manager – Confectionery is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimize product assortment, drive sales growth, and strengthen relationships with national and regional specialty retail partners. This role plays a key part in identifying market opportunities, managing vendor partnerships, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure category success and profitability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
3+ years of experience as a Category Manager, Buyer, or in a related role within the confectionery, specialty retail, or distribution industry.
Experience designing and maintaining planograms for specialty retail environments.
Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
Proficiency in data analysis and relevant software/tools.
Knowledge of market trends and competitive landscapes.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
Results-driven with strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning
Develop and implement confectionery category strategies aligned with overall company objectives.
Analyze market trends, customer preferences, and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities.
Establish category goals, KPIs, and performance benchmarks to measure success.
Assortment & Planogram Management
Manage the product assortment within the assigned category to meet customer demand and profitability goals.
Conduct regular reviews of product performance and make data-driven assortment optimization decisions.
Introduce new products and discontinue underperforming items based on analysis.
Design and maintain planograms tailored to specialty retail environments.
Vendor Relations
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and promotional opportunities that support category growth.
Partner with vendors to develop exclusive products or promotions that drive incremental sales.
Inventory & Supply Chain Collaboration
Work closely with Supply Chain teams to maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.
Promotions & Marketing
Develop and execute marketing and promotional plans to drive category performance.
Collaborate with Marketing teams to create impactful campaigns and retail programs.
Data Analysis & Reporting
Utilize analytics tools and market research to monitor category performance and identify opportunities.
Prepare reports and present insights, recommendations, and performance updates to senior leadership.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams to align strategies and achieve category objectives.
Provide product knowledge and category training to Sales teams to support selling initiatives.
Additional Responsibilities
Perform other related duties or special projects as assigned.