Category Manager jobs in Kansas

Associate Category Manager

Corporate Office: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS – Hybrid Schedule Available

Department: Category Sales

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving over 1,100 member companies and over 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale Divisions. The consolidated run-rate sales for AWG are $12.3billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, print and digital marketing services, health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmaceutical products, specialty foods, and natural and organic products. 

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for profitable sales growth of assigned category(s) for AWG/VMC and our Members. They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization as well as supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Associate Category Manager owns all item level decisions within their respective category(s) to include but not limited to proper product mix, costing, promotional plans, shelf placement, efficient and profitable procurement and item derived income to achieve category initiatives. The Category Manager must ensure that the programs are on trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.

 Supervisory Responsibilities:   

This position can manage one or more Category Assistant(s).

Description of Work:

•   Develop and implement key category initiatives and strategies.
•   Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.
•   Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility.
•   Develop and manage the AWG Brands assortment including product development to drive category sales and achieve targeted profitability.
•   Manage vendor funding to maximize sales and profitability.
•   Conduct regular category reviews to maximize category assortment and set category strategies.
•   Responsible for managing event schedules and promotions.
•   Responsible for overseeing input of all file maintenance is timely and accurately.
•   Responsible for all vendor programs, allowances, performance funds, incentive funds, marketing funds, direct plant ship options, and maintaining efficiency incentives to gain a competitive advantage in our markets.
•   Communicates and interacts with all cross functional departments (eg. Inventory Management, Center Store, Accounting, AWG Brands, and divisional sales teams.)
•   Work with Corporate Promotions Planner and Sales Coordinators in each division to implement sales programs, communicating category and consumer trends.
•   Visit key markets regularly to stay informed of competitive and market trends.
•   Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education, training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

•   College degree preferred.
•   Minimum 3 years Consumer Products Goods or related industry experience.
•   Working knowledge of sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, retail/wholesale/warehouse operations, category business planning, marketing, consumer research, and financial management.
•   Minimal travel required: primary travel is to AWG/VMC members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.
•   Intermediate knowledge of business applications (eg. Microsoft Office and G Suites).

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
• Wellness Program
• Yearly Christmas Bonus