Category Manager

PURPOSE:

UNFI Category Manager (on-site) Jacksonville, FL retailer. Responsible for being a subject matter expert in market dynamics affecting the retailer and the overall industry. Through leveraging complex analytics and marketplace knowledge, this role is responsible for helping UNFI’s strategic customer increase both sales and trade area relevance though advancing the assortment and merchandising.

• Identify product trends specific to the Retailer’s specific regions and store locations by analyzing:

• Category, attribute, and marketplace trends
• Consumer behavior shifts and shopper purchase patterns
• Market visits, trade shows, and industry events
• Curate consumer, demographic, syndicated, and internal data to synthesize innovative and actionable merchandising solutions

• Effectively present best-in-class solutions to category management and merchandising teams, showcasing category insights, relevant trends, new items, and merchandising concept.
• Translate data into actionable and innovative insights to create turnkey, influential solutions for both the retailer and UNFI’s sales team
• Establish and maintain relationships with key decision makers based on objective recommendations, marketplace knowledge, and results
• Collaborate cross-functionally with UNFI Category Management, Sales and Space Planning teams
• Develop reporting by analyzing implementation at retail, product success rates, and sales growth at the retailer
• Support training and development as needed
• Maintain safeguards of confidential information

• Disseminates information in accordance with pricing guidelines/tactics; reviews/recommends prices for national vendor items; maintains sensitive items list.
• Awareness of pricing by classes of trade and key competitors in each market.

• Compiles market, supplier, and consumer information in support of identifying national promo opportunities.
• Is aware of promotions by classes of trade and key competitors in each market.

• Participates in review of full assortment; reviews and gives input into national and local vendor recommendations; supports the discontinued/markdown planning process for national items.
• Provides input to departmental leadership on ad space allocations by department/banner (i.e. ad space plan).

• Independently problem solves issues
• Performs other relevant job duties as require

Education/ Certifications: (Required & Preferred)

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Five (5) years Category Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectra Data, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications)
• Previous experience in store operations or merchandising preferred
• Knowledge in market dynamics, industry shifts, and retailer landscapes is mandatory
• Experience in conventional channel merchandising and assortment analysis
• Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of projects simultaneously and often with time conflicting pressures
• High level of proficiency in presentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, primarily Excel and PowerPoint
• Proficiency with SPINS, IRI, and Nielsen Connect

Other Skills/ Abilities:

• Analytical Skills: Must have a strong knowledge base in supermarket retail and an understanding of consumer behavior in relation to product performance; must carry a detailed understanding of cause-effect relations between operational levers and performance (assortment/price vs. volume/margins) by utilizing financial, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and/or consumer research background. Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Management Skills: Experience in successfully leading, motivating, and monitoring performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to partner with the banners as a team.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside of the company.
• Technical skills: Well developed computer aptitude with proficient skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Must be able to adapt to and learn new systems quickly.
• Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to work successfully across all areas of the company; can successfully monitor performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to influence and lead effective partnerships with the banners; can thrive in a complicated matrix environment.
• Innovation: Champions new ideas and initiatives and creates an environment that supports innovation. leverages fresh perspectives, breakthrough ideas, and new paradigms to create value in the market.
• Strategic Skills: Demonstrate ability to understand and think big picture; develop and deliver category plans and programs that compliment both the corporate and departmental strategies leading to strong category sales and profit performance.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/ DEMANDS:

• Some travel may be required
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
• reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday
• Stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job duties

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. -M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.