Job Description:
The Director of Category Management, Fresh Foods & Bakery is responsible for driving the strategy, performance, and growth of one of RaceTrac's most important business segments. This role leads category planning and execution, with a focus on sales growth, profitability, margin health, and guest satisfaction.
Working closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Culinary, and vendor partners, you'll develop category strategies that deliver strong business results while leading and developing a high-performing team.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the strategy, performance, and execution of the Fresh Foods & Bakery categories.
- Drive sales growth, profitability, and margin performance through pricing, assortment, and promotional strategies.
- Analyze category performance and identify opportunities to improve financial results and guest engagement.
- Lead vendor selection, negotiations, and ongoing supplier partnerships.
- Partner with Marketing, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Culinary teams to execute category initiatives.
- Identify consumer trends, competitive insights, and growth opportunities.
- Coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing category management team.
- Use data and analytics to make informed business decisions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance execution and the guest experience.
Success Measures (First 6-12 Months)
First 6 Months
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
- Develop a deep understanding of category performance, consumer insights, and market trends.
- Assess pricing, assortment, promotions, and vendor strategies to identify growth opportunities.
- Establish credibility as a trusted business partner and influential communicator across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrate strong prioritization and execution skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
6-12 Months
- Deliver measurable improvements in sales, margin, profitability, and category performance.
- Develop and execute category strategies based on consumer insights and business objectives.
- Strengthen vendor partnerships to drive mutual value and business results.
- Improve category planning and execution processes.
- Influence cross-functional stakeholders to accelerate decision-making and results.
- Develop team capability through coaching and succession planning.
Responsibilities:
- Serves as the point of contact and voice of the Category Management department for planning and operations.
- Develops, coaches, and trains the current assigned Category Management team. Focuses on sharing knowledge and providing the tools necessary to increase department growth and exposure. Encourages continuous two-way feedback from all team members.
- Partners cross functionally with all members of the Category Management team to align strategic direction in order to execute consistent planning and analytical goals.
- Drives profitability and growth within assigned categories by implementing aggressive negotiation tactics, industry leading programs and competitive promotions to drive category sales.
- Ensures all contract negotiation strategies are in line with the best interest of RaceTrac.
- Assesses category offerings, develops and communicates strategies, and prioritizes the category team's tactical work.
- Creates, plans, and executes appropriate financial and guest service goals for the assigned teams.
- Communicates strategies and gains alignment across departments impacted by category programs.
- Directs the development of analytical tools to manage product mix, cost, retails, and to determine promotional strategies.
- Strengthens key vendor relationships to maximize RaceTrac's position in the marketplace.
- Approves, prioritizes, and monitors all category expenditures.
- Develops and maintains key business relationships with cross functional departments on a regular basis to ensure strategic alignment.
- Drives process improvement strategies that increase efficiencies and simplify our Guests' and Associates' lives.
Qualifications:
Required Skills & Experience- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
- 7+ years of experience in Category Management, Merchandising, Product Management, Procurement, or a related field.
- Experience developing and executing category strategies that drive business performance.
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven experience leading and developing teams.
- Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional groups.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience in retail, foodservice, restaurant, grocery, convenience retail, consumer products, or a related industry.
Highly Desired Experience- Ownership of a category or business unit P&L.
- Experience driving category profitability and margin improvement.
- Fresh Foods, Bakery, Foodservice, Culinary, or prepared foods category experience.
- Vendor evaluation, negotiation, and supplier management experience.
- Experience developing pricing, assortment, and promotional strategies.
- Strong partnership with Marketing and other cross-functional business teams.
Additional Skills- Convenience retail experience.
- Experience partnering with Culinary or Product Development teams.
- Advanced category analytics or consumer insights experience.
- Experience leading large-scale category growth or transformation initiatives.
- MBA or other advanced degree.
Who You'll Work With:Reports To: Executive Director
Works Closely With: Marketing, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Culinary, Category Management, and vendor partners
Team Environment: Collaborative, fast-paced, and focused on driving profitable growth and exceptional guest experiences.
