CATEGORY MANAGER

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: SVP, Merchandise

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for the profitable Merchandising, Procurement, and timely Delivery of products for assigned categories. Provides supply chain/inventory management for promotionally active categories and corresponding financial accountabilities. Procures product in accordance with all policies and procedures established by the company.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive Sales & Margin to Meet or Exceed Department Budgets.
• Obtain best product costs, quality, and service, always.
• Promotion – create and implement a track calendar by major category, which supports division merchandising strategy. Track results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit and share growth or contribution.
• Assisting in shelf design schematics and recommend adjacencies that support the role of the category.
• Assortment – determine the appropriate product assortment based on the category strategies. Authorize new items entering the market and discontinue lines based on potential contribution to the category and department.
• Tracking sales, gross profit dollars and share of each category.
• Ensure that established policies and procedures are adhered to and understood.
• Assist in planning and developing partnerships with our current vendors to deliver and improve on all the objectives of the company.
• Partner with the department supervisors and store personnel to develop and implement merchandising and sales plans.
• Analyze volume, sales & margin for all items in the department to determine the correct product assortment, base pricing and promotional pricing as well as achieving gross profit margin by category.
• Assess product inventory, market conditions, availability, and promotional impact to forecast order quantities and make recommendations.
• Seek out and develop new vendor partners and product sources.
• Maintain and track product inventories.
• Communicate any issues and opportunities to management and the stores.
• Visit stores, as needed, to monitor programs, obtain store feedback and to assess overall implementation effectiveness.
• Manage Accounts Receivables for funds owed to Vallarta by vendors, payable variance processes for distribution sourced items to ensure correct prices have been invoiced.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, to develop and maintain effective business relationships both internally and externally.
• Outstanding negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to synthesize the analysis into insights and action.
• Proven problem-solving skills.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or adequate experience in the industry.
• Two (2) years of Experience in Category Management, preferably in Supermarket industry.
• Proficient in computer applications, including MS Word, Excel, and email applications.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English and speak and understand Spanish.

Physical Demands:

• Must be physically able to safely ascend to heights, be able to bend, crawl and move safely and freely around machinery and building. Must have eyesight or corrected eyesight to safely work around and inspect equipment, identify insect pests and to prepare inspection notes and reports.
• Will be required to stand and walk throughout the work shift with some bending, standing, squatting, climbing to conduct inspections in the stores and in various cold and hot temperatures.
• Will be required to sit and use office equipment and computers.
• Will be required to travel long hours in vehicle to commute to company locations; overnight stays may be needed.
• May also have to do some light lifting, up to 40 lbs. of supplies and materials from time to time.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is management, exempt level position, with a 5-day work week, but flexible schedule as required to get the job done.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employees may perform other duties as directed. All employees are expected to perform any reasonable task or request that is consistent with fulfilling company goals and objectives.