Associate Category Manager is responsible for executing specialty/gourmet category strategy for assigned categories contributing to the company's stated financial goals. The Associate Category Manager drives assigned category performance through detailed analysis and execution of activities related to product assortment, sourcing, pricing & promotions, vendor proposals and agreements and promotions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage and provide detailed analysis of assigned category performance with a focus on product assortment, pricing, promotions, new product introductions, pricing changes, etc. Maintain regular reports to track performance and identify impact of variables on category performance against established metrics. Identify and report on trends, changes, and opportunities. Provide suggestions aimed at increasing category performance.
Pricing - Review category pricing reports on a regular basis, identifying potential pricing issues and opportunities. Implement pricing and assortment changes to ensure all items/categories are priced right.
Assist in all category sourcing activities for assigned category including vendor/product identification and set up, cost negotiation for new and existing portfolio & identifying products for sku rationalization.
Vendor Relationship Management - Manage and maintain relationships with vendors leading product reviews, identification and assessment of opportunities and negotiating support for marketing programs, events, promotions, samples etc. Additionally, Associate Category Manager will review and assess vendor performance reports, identify issues, and provide recommendations.
Work closely with the procurement team to address customer fill rate issues by offering alternate product options and through vendor supply management. Ensure inventory is at the right warehouse and available for all planned promotional activities. Support inventory expense reduction activities.
Other duties as dictated by the rapidly changing needs of the business including but not limited to project management, analysis, reporting etc. (
Cross Functional Collaboration: (5%)
Closely work with Sales, Marketing, Procurement, & Regulatory to support category growth, supply continuity and vendor compliance.
Collaborate with Sysco GSC counterparts with the objective of understanding critical category requirements and perspectives and ensuring that specialty category needs are represented and addressed in the overall category strategy as part of sourcing/category management initiatives (PGM events, CES launch etc.).
Education Required:
Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent experience
Experience Required:
3+ years experience in retail, food service or with a consumer goods company
Experience Preferred:
3+ years experience in project management, product assortment and pricing preferred. Prior category management experience strongly desired.
Technical Skills and Abilities:
Strong verbal, written and presentation skills, required
Advanced computer skills required, proficient with MS office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Solid quantitative and analytical skills. Must possess, or be able to rapidly develop a strong knowledge of products within assigned category
High degree of motivation to self-direct, sound interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team setting
Strong business acumen and strong negotiation skills
Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to plan, prioritize execute multiple initiatives autonomously and shift priorities as necessary
Language Requirements:
English
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and telephone to talk and hear. Must be able to bend, reach and stoop occasionally. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.