Job Description

Category Manager, Packaged Beverages

Position Summary

The Category Manager, Packaged Beverages is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, market share, and customer satisfaction across the Packaged Beverage portfolio. This role leads all aspects of category management, including assortment optimization, pricing strategy, promotional planning, supplier negotiations, merchandising, and category analytics.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical and commercially driven leader with extensive experience managing beverage categories in convenience retail, grocery, or related retail channels. They possess strong supplier management skills, a deep understanding of consumer beverage trends, and a proven ability to deliver profitable category growth.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Business Management

• Develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Own category including sales, gross margin, market share, inventory productivity, and customer penetration metrics.
• Identify growth opportunities through consumer insights, marketplace trends, and competitive analysis.
• Build annual category business plans, financial targets, and strategic initiatives.

• Evaluate product performance and recommend additions, deletions, and category resets.
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging brands, trends, and new product opportunities.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with national and regional beverage suppliers.
• Lead category reviews, business planning meetings, and supplier negotiations.
• Negotiate cost, promotional funding, rebates, marketing support, and supplier investment opportunities.
• Hold suppliers accountable for delivering agreed-upon sales and profit objectives.

Pricing & Promotion Strategy

• Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, profitability, and customer value.
• Create promotional calendars that increase traffic, basket size, and category performance.
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and optimize future programs based on results.

Merchandising & Space Management

• Partner with merchandising and operations teams to develop planograms and space allocation strategies.
• Ensure product placement and merchandising standards maximize customer engagement and category performance.
• Support seasonal merchandising initiatives and new product launches.

Analytics & Insights

• Utilize sales data, syndicated data, customer insights, and industry trends to drive decision-making.
• Monitor category KPIs and provide actionable recommendations to improve results.
• Conduct competitive shop analyses and market assessments.
• Prepare and present business reviews and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Store Operations teams.
• Support new store openings, remodels, and special projects related to Packaged Beverages.
• Influence organizational decisions through effective communication and data-driven recommendations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of Package Beverage Category Management experience.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• Experience negotiating with large CPG suppliers.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and category management tools.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.

Pay Range: