Category Manager - Vitacost at The Kroger Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio

Job Description:

Act as the hub for all Our Brands business matters for the respective category. Efficiently lead cross-functional teams through business plans, product development and category acceleration deep dives to deliver results. Communicate our private label vision, goals, and budget, as well as how they align with overall category merchandiser strategies and the customer first promise. Exhibit category expertise in business financials, category insights and the retail marketplace. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we've grown into what today is the nation's largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America's grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.

Here, people matter. That's why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you're caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.

Whether you're seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we've got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!MINIMUM

• Bachelor's Degree in business, marketing or comparable work experience
• 4+ years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods, sales and innovation
• Any experience in product development, new item marketing, sourcing, supplier negotiation, project management, strategy development, business planning, etc.
• Ability to set priorities, delegate effectively/communicate responsibilities, and manage execution
• Excellent leadership/collaboration skills
• Demonstrate initiative and willingness to take risks
• Proven ability to make critical decisions
• Strong business analytical skills in sales, volume and profit forecasts
• Ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, retail/office environment
• Highly motivated and self-directed
• Ability to manage complex and/or large portfolio of categories with little supervision

• Master's Degree
• Any experience in Our Brands, category management, operations or procurement
• Any experience with manufacturing operations and profit and loss
• Any experience with the orchestration of commercialization plans for new product development pipelines

• Provide private label category financial performance insights and summary
• Participate in category acceleration deep dives, leading stage gate presentations and action plan share out
• Follow Our Brands (OB) new product development process ensuring cross-functional team members are briefed with project concept + rationale, attributes, financials and detailed timing
• Prepare packaging design briefs for new product development; share out proposed designs
• Act as the OB subject matter expert for assigned categories
• Drive growth by applying knowledge of competitive set, consumer trends and business needs
• Partner with merchandising to build strategic plans to drive category growth and profitability
• Articulate respective business plans, OB's category role(s) and new product development plans to senior leadership
• Lead the commercialization of projects as identified in business plans
• Provide guidance on vendor selection, product segmentation, and sales planning
• Provide input to other OB functional teams, such as innovation and branding, to ensure respective plans support business needs
• Remain current with food, cultural and ethnic, category and product trends
• Participate in the sensory phase of product development and approve reformulations, packaging, sourcing, and specification changes
• Monitor and optimize retail execution, conduct post-launch analysis against OB initiatives and make recommendations
• Travel to divisions/store locations to support OB initiatives
• Follow established programs, policies, practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation