Sr. Manager of Categories

Wawa, Inc.

About The Position

Provide strategic leadership in attaining or exceeding corporate and strategic goals related to assigned categories. Define, develop and implement with key cross functional stakeholders, the strategic business marketing plans required to ensure controllable category and cross category contribution to the long range plan. Utilize servant leadership principles that will aid in partnership development and team building.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferred, Master’s Degree a plus
Five + years of category management
Experience with direct P&L responsibility
Purchasing experience
Experience managing work groups
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel skills
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Analyze information and effectively propose solutions
Highly developed consultative, facilitation, project management and presentation skills
High degree of professionalism and confidentiality
Handle multiple priorities simultaneously
Work independently
Strong negotiation skills
Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category plans that are aligned with and support corporate goals and strategies.
Use consumer research to ensure that the “Voice of the Customer” is included in all plans.
Ensure annual category planning process drives continuous improvement.
Define the category role, strategies, tactics and opportunities required to micro market space and price, plan assortment and promotions, increase market share, contribute to category growth and meet and anticipate the current and future consumer demands.
Ensure Category Planning Teams are aligned with category plans and assortment decisions.
Lead project-planning cycle to ensure the completion of key category initiatives.
Develop, monitor and re-forecast financial plans and budgets that support the corporate financial plan.
Develop the category’s target or hurdle rates for quantitative / qualitative measures of performance.
Develop and nurture strategic vendor alliances required to identify synergies, promote mutual growth, maximize resources, ensure consumer focus and capitalize on market opportunities.
Work cross functionally with logistics and suppliers to identify best supply chain management principles.
Work with Associate Marketing Research Manager & Strategic Vendor Partners to conduct consumer research needed to meet category objectives.
Conduct competitive market research required to maximize, monitor, evaluate and benchmark the progress of the category business plans and financial performance.
Work with the Space Planning Manager and the other Category Teams to optimize space allocations and category performance.
Work with the Advertising Manager to maximize the impact of advertising funds and resources in promoting the categories.
Develop and execute advertising/promotional programs designed to grow the categories and support corporate initiatives.
Work with Finance to drive improvement of analytical tools that assist in category planning and execution (space, price, assortment, and promotion), direct product profitability analysis, cost management/process improvement and budgeting/re-forecasting.
Develop reports on category performance, issues and opportunities.
Provide overall direction and support for team and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence.
Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.