Category Strategy Manager , Sprouts Brand

This role will lead the development and execution of Sprouts Brand category strategy in partnership with Merchandising to drive Sprouts Brand sales, volume and profitability. Lead identifying, creating and delivering exceptional products within the Sprouts Brands (SB) assortment portfolio. Lead product development for assigned categories and deliver a strategy that supports short and long-term, new item development and product refreshes. Partner with cross functional teams during new item development process to ensure alignment on strategy support and growth. Create custom solutions utilizing food knowledge of global trends, flavor profiles and ingredients in assigned categories that will drive first to market production on unique and differentiated new items. Identify, develop, and maintain internal and external resources to deliver outstanding results.

• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SB product development process from concept to shelf
• Deliver day-to-day communication, support, and on-time delivery across the business in relation to respective categories
• Lead execution of Sprouts Brand Assortment Strategies, including development of items from idea-to-shelf to achieve differentiation and competitive COGs to drive profitability for the Category, while also maximizing quality.
• Deliver SB category strategies that keep Sprouts on the cutting edge of the industry
• Leverage market data and consumer research to create solutions for unmet consumer needs, translating them into concepts, projects and distinctive products
• Develop or enhance innovative product formulations with appropriate teams
• Drive vendor selection and negotiate product costs on all new items

• Manage Strategic Supplier Relationships with current and potential new vendor partners supporting product transitions, security of supply, and speed-to-shelf while minimizing service and inventory disruptions.

• Manage all SB new item projects during the entire product development process and maintain SB New Item Tracker Tool
• Initiate and partner with Legal to retrieve all SB Supplier Vendor Agreements, SB Addendums and any custom agreements that secures a competitive advantage position for Sprouts
• Lead SB annual business planning for assigned categories in collaboration with cross-functional team members. Align key stakeholders including: SB leadership, merchandising leadership and suppliers, among others
• Provide ongoing communication to other SB team members including Brand and Packaging
• Partner with Merchandising to define the role of SB within categories, as well as, participate in category strategy development, category assortment reviews, adds/deletes discussions and sales planning
• Monitor, maintain and optimize retail execution and conduct post-launch analysis against SB initiatives within categories and make appropriate recommendations based on analysis
• Assist in communicating new product information to cross functional teams to optimize product assortment and placement
• Conduct retail store visits to evaluate store execution and overall category effectiveness
• Deliver and maintain consistent product quality within brand promise by being an active participant in the sensory phases of product development, approving reformulations, packaging, sourcing and specification changes
• Follow established programs and SOPs to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory

• Preferred Bachelor Degree in Business or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of departmental experience, with experience as Merchandising or Management preferred
• Previous Category Management and/or buying/negotiating experience preferred with product knowledge of grocery industry
• Previous product development experience preferred  
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines
• Complete understanding of P/L statements and margins
• Thorough understanding Microsoft Office suite
• Some travel required
• Preferred Bachelor Degree in Business or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of departmental experience, with experience as Merchandising or Management preferred
• Previous Category Management and/or buying/negotiating experience preferred with product knowledge of grocery industry
• Previous product development experience preferred  
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines
• Complete understanding of P/L statements and margins
• Thorough understanding Microsoft Office suite
• Some travel required

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

• Competitive pay
• Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health
• Vacation accrual plan
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun!

Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Company paid short-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers
• Paid holidays

Get Paid Every Day!

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free.  We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday.

 You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

Grow with us!

If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting.  Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

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