Associate Category Manager

at  National Coop Grocers

SUSTAINABILITY • NATURAL FOODS • ORGANIC FOODS

Attention grocery and wellness retailers, data enthusiasts, and natural foodies: Would you like to apply your business and retail expertise to supporting socially responsible, independent, and community-owned grocery stores? Do you believe in sustainability and want to make a positive social impact?
Due to an internal promotion we are seeking an energetic, service and detail-oriented individual with a passion for food and retail to support implementation of our purchasing programs. This position will be heavily administrative but will provide an opportunity to work closely with NCG’s Category Managers to learn and develop category management skill sets.
This position will support NCG’s category management, pricing support, and promotions programs and related initiatives. The Associate Category Manager will manage the implementation and workflow of strategic plans developed by NCG Category Managers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office; strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook skills needed.
• Familiarity with the category management process and understanding of retail grocery merchandising and promotions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent process timelines and stay on task and within budget.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills and experience developing useful business insights on the basis of data.

• Support Category Managers in developing optimal product assortments through the NCG’s Core Set program, new item launch strategy and plans, regular retail and EDLP pricing strategies, and planograms with category and item adjacencies, and category, brand, and segment space allocation.
• Identify emerging brands, brand opportunities, and potential supplier partnerships for NCG’s Category Managers.
• Assist Category Managers with onboarding new brands and vendors.
• Review business plans for brands participating in NCG’s programs and secure contracts for promotional and everyday pricing support, program participation, and product allowances to support those business plans and NCG’s promotional calendar from vendors and brokers.
• Ensure that brand program contracts are complete, include all needed information, support NCG’s category strategies and are aligned with the agreements made between Category Managers and vendors.