Grocery Category Manager

Category Manager, Grocery JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary: The Grocery Category Manager is responsible for driving sales, margin, and growth across assigned grocery categories for the Co-Op and its member stores. Serving as the primary liaison between suppliers, brokers, and internal leadership, this role ensures effective communication, strategic vendor partnerships, and strong execution of merchandising initiatives. The Category Manager develops and implements category strategies, promotional programs, pricing recommendations, and merchandising plans that align with market trends, competitive conditions, and the needs of member stores. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Category & Merchandising Strategy Develops and executes category strategies to achieve planned sales, gross margin, and income objectives. Plans and coordinates weekly and seasonal merchandising programs, including ad strategy and promotional calendars. Analyzes category performance, promotional effectiveness, and SKU movement to optimize assortment and pricing. Monitors competitive activity and market trends to recommend timely adjustments and growth opportunities. Vendor, Broker & Supplier Management Serves as the primary point of contact for suppliers, brokers, and manufacturer representatives. Leads vendor negotiations including promotional funding, new item setup fees, and merchandising programs. Partners with vendors to develop promotional strategies that drive sales, margin, and member value. Promotes and supports internal Co-Op initiatives within the vendor community (e.g., food shows, events, programs). Data, Analytics & Reporting Utilizes internal systems and category data to analyze trends, forecast performance, and support decisions. Reviews weekly promotional results and validates cost, retail, and margin integrity. Generate reports and insights to identify category opportunities and store-specific performance trends. Reviews distributor and operational reports and takes appropriate action based on findings. Member Store Communication & Support Communicates merchandising initiatives, promotions, and category updates clearly to member stores. Coordinates new item introductions, store distributions, and promotional execution. Conducts regular store and competitor visits to assess execution and gather market insights. Partners with internal teams to address product issues and support member store needs. Qualifications: Required High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred (Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field). 3-5+ years of experience in grocery retail, category management, merchandising, buying, or related roles. Proven negotiation skills and ability to manage multiple vendor relationships. Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, SharePoint). Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Willingness to travel to member and competitor stores as needed Job Type: Full Time Location: Iselin, NJ Schedule: · Monday through Friday · 8:30am to 5pm Salary: $80,000-$90,000 Job Type: Full-time Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Ability to Commute: Iselin, NJ (Required) Ability to Relocate: Iselin, NJ: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person

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