Category Manager II – Creamer, Yogurt, Dessert

Serve as the leader of a category of medium to large size and/or complexity and have the 4Ps accountability across all channels. Responsible for owning end-to-end assortment, financials, and overall category strategy with inputs from support teams to make data-driven decisions that reflect local needs. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

- Develop formalized short and long-term category strategies and tactics that deliver a unified customer experience across all channels (brick & mortar, extended aisle, digital shelf)
- Stay ahead of and respond to industry/customer trends; understand market share and competition; escalate communication to relevant parties (i.e., Our Brands or Divisions) with changes and important initiatives
- Understand all available levers across 4Ps to drive category forward and achieve KPIs and goals; be proficient across all systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.); drive and manage full product life-cycle, including add/deletes and relevant cross-functional meetings
- Build assortment after reviewing data from vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands; gather division input during feedback window, managing expectations and communication on segmentation and local assortment needs
- Oversee plan-o-gram process, including deadlines, placement, and flow, ensuring guidelines are met
- Track and monitor SKU performance and adjust assortment, as needed, to meet financial and strategic goals
- Maintain category budgets, forecasts, and plans; understand contribution to total enterprise and division goals
- Establish price and category architecture and provide input on trends for programs
- Review inclusion in pricing programs with an eye to item financial performance and category strategy
- Set base prices and use data to evaluate decisions to deviate from pricing algorithm recommendations
- Determine response to competitor price moves or cost change based on recommendation from Pricing team
- Oversee promotional strategy to engage customers and drive excitement
- Review past ad performance and define promo strategies & goals, including A/B strategies for major promos
- Select products for promotion, leveraging data on shelf capacity, number of stores selling, display locations
- Set starting promotional prices and define guardrails for promo planners as they tailor prices to divisions
- Understand timing of Test & Learns and how to properly manage process
- Oversee end-to-end product flow and provide direction for stores/replenishment when supply issues occur
- Manage strategic vendor relationships, including communicating priorities and assortment opportunities, identifying long-term supply changes, negotiating competitive prices, and staying ahead of industry trends
- Engage vendors, source promo offers, decide on awards; provide directional forecast needs
- Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
 

Minimum
- 3+ years of experience in one of the following areas:  replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management 
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Strong organization and multi-tasking skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to coach and train
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent oral/written communication skills
Desired
- Bachelor's Degree 
- Any vendor negotiations or promo planning experience
- Any division sales manager, store coordinator, or store manager experience