Senior Category Manager - Food Ambient

Lidl • Arlington, TX

36d • Onsite

About The Position

Lidl US is searching for the next Senior Category Manager to join our Food Ambient Buying team! The Senior Category Manager is a category management and purchasing expert who plays a key leadership role in the business. They demonstrate exceptional business development aptitude and have had proven successes in their decision-making ability. This role serves as a mentor within the department and assists in overseeing the development of the Associate Buyer. The Senior Category Manager has the responsibility of full ownership of their given categories. Please note: This position requires reporting to our Corporate Headquarters in Arlington, VA, five days a week.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge in category management, retail financial measurements, negotiations, and product development
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with private label product development and national brands within grocery retail
• Demonstrated leadership ability and a passion for individual and team development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and meet deadlines
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising or related field
• 4-6 years of experience in a related field
• In lieu of degree, 6+ years of experience in related field will meet the education and related experience requirements listed above
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of given product range including developing category strategy, supplier management, product development, negotiation, pricing, promotions, and category management
• Identify and execute strategic projects within given categories to achieve business objectives
• Implement tactical action plans in support of strategy and aligned with company goals
• Analyze trends in the market with a view to create strong commercial opportunities, efficiencies, and cost savings
• Manage commercial data (turnover, margin, investment in price reductions, etc.) to ensure all KPI targets are achieved
• Conduct annual assortment analyses reviewing the market and aligning on key categorical changes while leveraging Category Management and relevant industry data
• Optimize merchandising space in store in collaboration with Sales and Merchandising
• Effectively manage projects and project timelines while working independently and collaboratively to achieve short, medium, and long-term departmental objectives
• Lead and coordinate purchasing projects and negotiations. Key point of contact for suppliers
• Support the ongoing training and development of their team by serving as subject matter expert on all department processes, as well developing and managing individual development plans
• Nurture, train and develop associate buyers to become category managers of the future
• Be the role model for Lidl values and create a culture of ownership and accountability
• Regularly visit stores with team members and to evaluate standard operational procedures and merchandising tactics for improvement
• Ensure constant communication and collaboration with International Office, Supply Chain, Logistics, and all internal and external stakeholders to identify and resolve problems
• Review Leaflets and all marketing tactics weekly for accuracy and effectiveness

Benefits

• Medical & Prescription | Dental | Vision coverage
• Paid Holiday & Paid Time Off (PTO) to use for sickness or vacation
• Dedicated training plans to ensure you are set up for success
• 401k Plan (+ 5% company match)
• Voluntary Term Life & AD&D Insurance
• Total Well-Being Program
• DailyPay, a voluntary benefit to offer employees access to their pay on their own schedule

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: General Merchandise Retailers
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees