Category Manager II – Creamer, Yogurt, Dessert

Serve as the leader of a category of medium to large size and/or complexity and have the 4Ps accountability across all channels. Responsible for owning end-to-end assortment, financials, and overall category strategy with inputs from support teams to make data-driven decisions that reflect local needs. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop formalized short and long-term category strategies and tactics that deliver a unified customer experience across all channels (brick & mortar, extended aisle, digital shelf)

• Stay ahead of and respond to industry/customer trends; understand market share and competition; escalate communication to relevant parties (i.e., Our Brands or Divisions) with changes and important initiatives

• Understand all available levers across 4Ps to drive category forward and achieve KPIs and goals; be proficient across all systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.); drive and manage full product life-cycle, including add/deletes and relevant cross-functional meetings

• Build assortment after reviewing data from vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands; gather division input during feedback window, managing expectations and communication on segmentation and local assortment needs

• Oversee plan-o-gram process, including deadlines, placement, and flow, ensuring guidelines are met

• Track and monitor SKU performance and adjust assortment, as needed, to meet financial and strategic goals

• Maintain category budgets, forecasts, and plans; understand contribution to total enterprise and division goals

• Establish price and category architecture and provide input on trends for programs

• Review inclusion in pricing programs with an eye to item financial performance and category strategy

• Set base prices and use data to evaluate decisions to deviate from pricing algorithm recommendations

• Determine response to competitor price moves or cost change based on recommendation from Pricing team

• Oversee promotional strategy to engage customers and drive excitement

• Review past ad performance and define promo strategies & goals, including A/B strategies for major promos

• Select products for promotion, leveraging data on shelf capacity, number of stores selling, display locations

• Set starting promotional prices and define guardrails for promo planners as they tailor prices to divisions

• Understand timing of Test & Learns and how to properly manage process

• Oversee end-to-end product flow and provide direction for stores/replenishment when supply issues occur

• Manage strategic vendor relationships, including communicating priorities and assortment opportunities, identifying long-term supply changes, negotiating competitive prices, and staying ahead of industry trends

• Engage vendors, source promo offers, decide on awards; provide directional forecast needs

• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports

• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum

3+ years of experience in one of the following areas: replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store management, operations, or brand management

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Strong organization and multitasking skills

Strong analytical and problemsolving skills

Demonstrated ability to coach and train

Strong attention to detail

Excellent oral/written communication skills

Desired

Bachelors Degree

Any vendor negotiations or promo planning experience

Any division sales manager, store coordinator, or store manager experience