*MUST RESIDE IN PITTSBURGH, PA*
Job Overview:
The primary goal of the Manager Category- Region Lead is to aggressively manage the merchandising strategy for assigned categories, to include Product Assortment, Costs, Promotional Activity, and Shelf Allocation to drive sales for the region's retail customers. The Category Manager is responsible for managing vendor relationships, the vendor funding checkbook and category item assortment to drive sales and margin for UNFI.
Job Responsibilities:
Core Responsibilities
- Ability to train and mentor new Category Managers and Meat store personnel.
- Leadership role(s) in a department wide initiative, overseeing planning, communication and successful implementation both within the departments and with supporting teams.
- Representation of the Department and/or Region in a Corporate wide initiative or effort.
- Initiate and implement new sales driving opportunities whether in response to changing needs/environment or to create a new source of excitement/demand through creative merchandising.
- Understand workings of department P&L, ability to research and analyze financial metrics and create solutions.
- Leadership in key vendor or broker relations, overseeing planning, communication and successful implementation of sales initiatives and major changes that span multiple CM desks/departments.
- Develop category business plans for assigned categories using all available resources, including analysis of both internal and syndicated data, (validated) manufacturer input and expertise, commodity reports, trade/industry news, consumer trends and customer feedback. Measures results and adjusts plans as needed.
- Develop and manage communication with the retail sales team for all selling programs and category management initiatives. Track participation and sales by DC, sales team and retail customer on all selling programs and category management initiatives.
- Ensure that New Items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.
- Champion UNFI Brands+ assortment, manage Brands + role in category and programs as appropriate.
- Maintain relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements. Rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling cost of carrying inventory, shrink and spoilage.
- Accurately Manage sell price including vendor cost, freight.
- Actively participate in promotional planning process, including Weekly Ads, Selling shows, Region programs, Long Term Promotional Pricing (SED) and Temporary Price Reductions. Ad Groups & Ad Item Play, suggested retails, all.
- Collaborate with Customer Service on any retail issues regarding product costs and fees.
- Collaborate with Dated Order Team to ensure orders are fulfilled correctly as requested or provides alternative solutions when that is not possible.
- Resolve internal and external customer requests and concerns with a high level of professionalism
- Supervise Category Department Specialist.
- Ensure SOX compliance for deal acceptance and sell audit reporting.
- Manage applicable/local tax requirements at the category or item level as needed promotional costs and windows, and any specific requirements of performance are communicated in collaboration with the Sales & Promotion team.
- Negotiate with brokers and vendors on all aspects of category merchandising plans. Solicits support drive profitable sales that meet and exceed retail customer demands and marketplace competition.
- Responsible for proofing all deals, communications, and advertising vehicles for accuracy.
- Perform post promotional analysis to validate plan execution and adjust future.
- Provide sales team with retailer needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and participating in meetings, serving as liaison to brokers/vendors as required.
- Collaborate with Corporate Merchandising on local broker and vendor opportunities and concerns. Uphold terms and conditions of all Corporate Vendor Agreements.
- Collaborate with Procurement and Warehouse operations to meet customers' service level requirements and maximize sales through proper planning and forecasting.
- Assists in developing purchasing path to insure lowest possible cost of goods and handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals.
- Assists in inventory disposition as required.
Additional Responsibilities
- Coaching and mentoring Meat store personnel.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education/ Certifications:
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
Experience:
- Five (5) years Category Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectra Data, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications).
- Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:
- Basic knowledge of internal Buying system preferred.
- Solid negotiating skills.
- Possess good communication skills, both verbal Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people in person, via phone, and via electronic communication.
- Ability to influence without authority.
- Computer skills required include spreadsheet and database tools and electronic communication tools. Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities. Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.
- Analytical skills to measure sales performance, item performance within category and overall vendor funds management performance
- Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
Work Environment:
Remote Role: Pittsburgh Area
- This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager. 70% of time.
Travel:
- This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons. 30% of time. Visiting SNS stores and working directly with Meat managers.
Physical Environment/Demands:
Office Roles:
- Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
- Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
- Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.
Compensation: UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Benefits: For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.
Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
UNFI's compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company's sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.
