Overview

The Category Manager - Deli is a strategic and results-driven leader responsible for delivering best-in-class category performance across sales, margin, innovation, and customer experience. This role owns the end-to-end category lifecycle-driving financial results, building high-performing teams, shaping culture, and continuously evolving the assortment to stay ahead of trends.

The Category Manager operates in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and must demonstrate agility, resilience, and the ability to roll with constant change while consistently delivering measurable results.

Based in Phoenix - hybrid schedule in office Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

Essential Functions

Deliver Measurable Category Performance

• Own and deliver against sales, comp growth, margin, shrink, and inventory turn targets
• Optimize mix, pricing, and promotions to maximize profitability
• Analyze performance trends and pivot strategies quickly
• Lead business reviews with clear actions and accountability
• Ensure data-driven decision making

Lead in a Dynamic, Fast-Changing Environment

• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities and business conditions
• Maintain focus and drive results despite ambiguity
• Identify risks and implement solutions with urgency
• Provide clarity and direction during change

Drive Innovation & Trend Leadership

• Introduce trend-forward, differentiated products and programs
• Create destination moments in Deli through innovation
• Balance national strategy with localized assortments
• Partner cross-functionally to bring ideas to market quickly
• Position the business as a leader in fresh prepared foods

Own the End-to-End Category Strategy

• Lead assortment, pricing, promotion, and merchandising strategies
• Manage vendor partnerships and negotiations
• Optimize inventory and reduce shrink
• Align execution across marketing, merchandising, and operations
• Oversee launches, resets, and new store openings

Build and Lead High-Performing Teams

• Coach and develop team members
• Build a culture of accountability and ownership
• Develop future leaders
• Foster cross-functional collaboration

#LI-CS1

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Physical Requirements

• Preferred Bachelor Degree in Business or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of departmental experience, with experience as Merchandiser or Manager preferred
• Previous buying/negotiating experience required
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and the Internet
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines
• Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins
• Some travel required

Core Competencies:

• Coaching and Developing Others
• Communication
• Customer Focus
• Driving for Results
• Leading Change

Champion Culture

• Love Being Different - Drive bold ideas and innovation
• Care - Prioritize customers, teams, and quality
• Own It - Take accountability and deliver results

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

• Competitive pay
• Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health
• Vacation accrual plan
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun!

Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Company paid short-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers
• Paid holidays

Get Paid Every Day!

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you're hired as an eligible employee, you'll be able to transfer the money you've already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free. We offer DailyPay so you don't have to wait for payday to access the money you've already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you've made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday.

You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts' management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.