Director of Tobacco & Nicotine

Are you curious about solving complex business challenges for a leading convenience retailer?  Do you have a passion for cross functional collaboration?  Then you may be the perfect addition to our team! 

EG America is one of the fastest-growing convenience store retailers in the United States, committed to becoming America’s #1 ‘one-stop’ destination. The business has an established pedigree of delivering excellent fuel, grocery and merchandise, and food service. Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, our Company has grown to over 1,500 locations across the United States employing over 18,000 team members.  You can find us operating under the following store banners: Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N Jug, Minit Mart, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill, and Quik Stop. Our headquarters in Westborough, MA is home to our Store Support Center, Company Warehouse, and Culinary Center.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Wages
• Work today, get paid tomorrow through our earned wage access program*
• Paid Time Off
• Medical/Health/Dental Coverage
• 401K with Company Match
• Team Member Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Savings Account
• Company Spirit Days
• Employee recognition and awards
• And much more!

Position Summary:

The Director of Tobacco & Nicotine will lead the strategic direction, development, and execution of EG America's Tobacco & Nicotine categories, with full accountability for exceeding budgetary goals for Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products. This role involves building and mentoring a high-performing team of category managers, associates, and analysts. The Director will develop and implement comprehensive merchandising plans aligned with departmental strategy, ensuring successful execution to achieve financial targets. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, contract negotiation expertise, financial acumen, and a deep understanding of merchandising principles to drive EG America's performance in the Tobacco & Nicotine categories. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of out performing budget goals within Tobacco and Nicotine categories along with building strong relationships with manufacturer partners and operations.

Responsibilities:

1.       Responsible for creating and driving annual category growth plans, sales budgets, and operational support programs for category management.   Ensure all category sales and gross profit contributions meet or exceed the annual corporate budget.

2.       Develop and implement innovative merchandising strategies that address current consumer needs while anticipating and fulfilling the evolving demands of the market through 2030.

3.       Lead the development, execution, and continuous optimization of comprehensive business plans on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

4.       Cultivate a collaborative and accountable relationship with operations to ensure effective execution of merchandising strategies and achieve optimal results.

5.       Collaborate with key manufacturers to establish strategic partnerships that drive mutual growth and exceed EG America's business objectives.

6.       Develop and execute impactful marketing and merchandising initiatives that drive customer traffic, and loyalty within the tobacco & nicotine categories.

7.       Conduct ongoing analysis of competitive market data to maintain EG America's leadership position in merchandising and identify opportunities for growth.

8.       Continuously evaluate and adjust pricing strategies based on site-specific factors and macroeconomic trends to optimize profitability.

9.       Maintain a comprehensive understanding of current and future contract negotiations, relevant legislation, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

10.    Accurately forecast, track, and manage monthly funding to ensure profit margins are maximized and financial performance aligns with budgetary targets.

11.    Deliver compelling presentations to EG America executives on business plans, contract proposals, and financial budgets to secure alignment and support.

12.    Conduct comprehensive annual budget planning and deliver monthly performance reports to executive leadership, providing insightful analysis and recommendations.

13.     Leverage technology and data-driven insights to personalize the customer experience and exceed digital expectations, fostering customer loyalty and engagement.

14.    Maintain active involvement with industry associations to effect industry and legislative changes that are favorable to the company.

15.    Analyze programs that have been put in place to ensure that they are successful in reaching company sales, profit, and Return on Investment (ROI) goals.

16.    Coach and develop the category management team to ensure a pool of promotable and talented associates.

17.    Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide continuous feedback and development to direct reports.

Working Relationships: 

Works with members of every internal department at all levels, from managers to SVPs including operations, supply chain, accounting, pricebook, legal finance, technology and marketing at a high level.  Also works externally with major manufacturer partners, wholesalers and signage vendors.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Finance or Economics

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Marketing, Finance or Economics

Minimum Experience:

8 years’ experience in category management, 3 years in tobacco

Preferred Experience:

10 years’ experience in category management, 7 or more in a leadership capacity

Licenses/Certifications:

Soft Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to foster team work and build collaborative relationships
• Proven success leading change in large organizations.
• Excels at leading large organizations with a diverse talent pool.
• Robust written, oral, presentation, and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Exceptional project management skills and the ability to meet deadlines and deliver results
• Expert in Microsoft Office

Other Requirements:

Travel: 25-35% of the time visiting stores and vendor partners

Hours & Conditions: Currently a hybrid role, requiring 4 days a week in the office,  8 hour days in office setting (subject to change)

Physical Requirements: Minimal physical effort required; sitting / standing at computer for long periods of time.  Ability to maneuver and lift up to 10 lbs.

At EG America, it’s important that our employees reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve. We celebrate our differences, so your unique background and skillset could bring a wonderful new perspective to our team. If you have a passion for delivering exceptional results, thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment, and bring experience in business management or related areas, we'd love to meet you - even if you don't meet every single requirement.