Category ManagerDepartment: Analytic Support 105604 Employment Type: Full Time Location: Sterling Heights Reporting To: Derrick Frailing Description The Category Manager will oversee and manage all product categories across different divisions, ensuring that the right products are available to meet the company's strategic goals. This position requires a combination of data-driven decision-making, strong vendor relationships, and a deep understanding of consumer preferences in the snack and beverage industry. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving profitability, enhancing the product range, and ensuring alignment with market trends and consumer needs across various regions. Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Merchandising: Manage and optimize product categories across all divisions, ensuring alignment with company goals and market demand. This includes reviewing product performance, ensuring correct product placement, and adjusting categories based on market and consumer insights.
- Vendor Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to negotiate better pricing, improve product quality, and ensure timely delivery of goods. Ensuring correct in-stock product
- Inventory and Stock Management: Monitor stock levels and work closely with the procurement team to ensure all products are available to meet customer demand while minimizing excess inventory and reducing waste.
- Market and Trend Analysis: Analyze sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for product development, promotions, and potential product phase-outs.
- Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work with marketing, procurement, and operations teams to develop effective promotional strategies and implement category plans that enhance visibility and sales.
- Reporting and Forecasting: Provide detailed reports on category performance, consumer behavior, and forecasted trends. Use these insights to adjust category strategies and drive overall growth.
- New Product Introduction: Procurement teams to introduce new products that meet evolving consumer preferences, particularly in better-for-you snack categories.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in category management, preferably in FMCG or snack-related industries.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools.
- Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
- Knowledge of consumer trends, especially in the snack, beverage, and vending machine sectors.
- Experience with product assortment, pricing strategies, and inventory forecasting.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively across departments.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with supply chain and procurement management.
- Familiarity with retail analytics tools.
- Knowledge of merchandising and in-store product placement techniques.
Benefits We prioritize the health, wellness and work-life balance of our team members and designed our comprehensive compensation packages to reflect that. •Full-time team members are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, parental leave, 401(k) with company match, at-work dining perks, flexible schedules, generous PTO, and a total rewards program. Team Members can also use our inclusive employee assistance program. •Part-time Team Members are eligible for our 401(k) with company match, at work dining perks and team members can also use our inclusive employee assistance program. Location-specific perks may also include wellness programming, on-the-job training, corporate-hosted courses, certifications and team events. #CONALB