Grocery Category Manager

Description

Are you passionate about natural and organic products? Earth Fare is seeking a dynamic Category Manager for Grocery / Center Store to lead our in-store retailing of grocery category products, enhancing profitability through strategic sales optimization and swift inventory turnover. You'll be the expert in your category, fostering strong vendor relationships, and deeply understanding customer preferences to drive our brand forward.

Essential Functions:

Vendor Management:

• Forge strong, cooperative relationships with both national and local market vendors to maximize profitability per SKU.

• Innovate by developing new product sources and strategic alliances.

• Negotiate favorable terms for pricing, promotions, delivery, and payments.

• Be at the forefront with new product introductions and innovations.

Pricing and Marketing:

• Strategically set everyday and promotional pricing for competitive advantage and inventory management.

• Develop comprehensive 52-week marketing plans aligned with business goals.

• Collaborate with marketing to create promotional materials and campaigns that support category objectives.

• Master the art of merchandising through effective planogram management.

Category Management, Strategic Planning & Inventory Supply Chain:

• Lead the execution of category-specific strategic plans.

• Manage product launches and exits to align with consumer and seasonal trends.

• Utilize data-driven insights to enhance growth and profitability.

• Develop a robust control label program to anchor category health.

• Predict trends and manage inventory to optimize flow and profitability.

Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise:

• Deep understanding of natural/organic grocery products, particularly in the meat & seafood category.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, for analysis and reporting.

• Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Strong financial acumen for analysis and decision-making.

• Proven negotiation, leadership, and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced setting.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retailing, Management, Sales, or Marketing.

• At least 5 years of grocery retail experience, ideally in natural/organic center store category management.

• Experience in product purchasing, financial analysis, inventory control, and P&L management.

• Proficient in planogram execution and previous roles in category management with vendor relations.

Environmental Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Work in a dynamic, customer-focused retail environment.

• Office-based with significant computer and phone use; occasional travel to stores and tradeshows.

Why Earth Fare? At Earth Fare, we're more than a grocery store; we're a community committed to health, sustainability, and innovation. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and the chance to be part of a mission-driven team that's changing how people shop and eat.

Apply Now! If you’re ready to make an impact in the grocery industry with a focus on natural and organic products Join us at Earth Fare, where we are helping people live healthy lives. 

Note: We consider equivalent combinations of education and experience if they equip you with the skills necessary to excel in this role.

Qualifications

Salary : $65,000 - $78,000