Sr Manager - Category
About The Position
The Sr Manager - Category will oversee a large, multi-category retail portfolio across a nationwide store network. The role leads category strategy and financial performance, supplier relationships, and the development of a high-performing merchandising team. Categories include grocery and general merchandise such as snacks, candy, meat snacks, cookies and crackers, nutrition, health and beauty, pastry, ice cream, shelf-stable food, and non-food products. The position owns category P&L, budgeting, forecasting, inventory investment, sales, gross profit, and profitability. It develops and executes annual and long-term plans for pricing, promotions, assortment, inventory optimization, and growth. The role also manages supplier and distributor relationships, partners with consumer packaged goods organizations, and collaborates with internal teams to carry out merchandising initiatives. The position is expected to be 100% onsite in Knoxville, Tennessee. Qualified candidates may receive relocation assistance. Candidates relocating to Knoxville may have remote work capabilities for up to six months while completing relocation. This is a contract-to-hire position.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- At least 8 years of experience within grocery, convenience retail, or a closely related retail or CPG industry.
- Significant experience in category management, merchandising, retail buying, or related commercial leadership.
- Proven experience managing a large, complex P&L and multi-category portfolio.
- Strong experience in supplier negotiations, pricing, promotional strategy, assortment planning, and inventory management.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing professional teams.
- Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to use data to drive category and merchandising decisions.
- Ability to influence and partner with internal stakeholders, suppliers, distributors, and external business partners.
- Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working within a large national or multi-location retail organization.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategy and performance across multiple grocery and general merchandise categories.
- Own category P&L, budgeting, forecasting, inventory investment, sales, gross profit, and overall profitability.
- Develop and execute annual and long-term category plans focused on pricing, promotions, assortment, inventory optimization, and growth opportunities.
- Lead, coach, and develop category management professionals through goal setting, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
- Manage strategic relationships with suppliers and distributors, including negotiations regarding category initiatives, product assortment, space allocation, promotions, and growth opportunities.
- Partner with major consumer packaged goods organizations to identify opportunities and improve category performance.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Loyalty, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Supply Chain to execute merchandising initiatives.
- Monitor category performance and market trends to identify opportunities to improve sales, profitability, inventory productivity, and market share.
- Lead the resolution of complex merchandising and operational challenges and ensure category strategies are executed across the store network.
- Ensure accurate management of promotional funding and compliance with applicable business and regulatory requirements.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage may be available if eligible.
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage may be available if eligible.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan, with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions, may be available if eligible.
- Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance for the employee and dependents may be available if eligible.
- Short- and long-term disability coverage may be available if eligible.
- Health Spending Account (HSA) may be available if eligible.
- Transportation benefits may be available if eligible.
- Employee Assistance Program may be available if eligible.
- Time off or leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, may be available if eligible.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
