Manager Category- Region Lead
Company: UNFI
Location: Providence
Posted on: April 22, 2024
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Job Description:
*Must reside in the East Coast Region*Job Overview:The primary
goal of the Category Manager
Region Lead is to aggressively manage the merchandising strategy
for assigned categories, including 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 and Accountabilities:Ability to train and mentor
new Category Managers.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.Participate in the process of
interviewing and hiring new staff.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.Liaison for key retailers in conjunction with the
sales team to strengthen business relationships, work through
merchandising opportunities or obstacles, and improve customer
service and satisfaction.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 customers 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 the cost of carrying inventory,
shrink, and spoilage.Responsible for working with Shelf Management
to support timely plan-o-gram execution.Accurately Manage sell
price including vendor cost, freight, BIV, and active sell.Actively
participate in the 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 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 to 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 plans.Provide sales team with retailer
needs on request, providing data points, facilitating and
participating in meetings, and 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 paths to ensure the lowest possible cost of goods and
handling while meeting shrink and spoilage goals. Assists in
inventory disposition as required.Collaborate with Customer Service
on any retail issues regarding product costs and fees.Collaborate
with the Dated Order Team to ensure orders are fulfilled correctly
as requested, or provide alternative solutions when that is not
possible.Resolve internal and external customer requests and
concerns with a high level of professionalism.Supervise Category
Merch Specialists.Ensure SOX compliance for deal acceptance and
sell audit reporting.Manage applicable state/local tax requirements
at the category or item level as needed.Performance Measures:Ensure
productive relationships with vendor partners, retail customers,
and fellow UNFI associates.Accurate management of BIV and Sell 1,
including variation/freight components.Accurate management and
sales execution of all promotional activity.Wholesale sales for
assigned categories.Vendor funds (CMAP % to sales and other
metrics.)Epass/vendor dispute management.Aged inventory
reserve.Item Maintenance accuracy (pack changes, Master item
group/line code integrity, New item setup.)Planogram effectiveness
with shelf management/planogram analyst support.Accurate management
of ad planner, and deal accuracy for all programs.Decision
Authority:The Category Manager has full authority to make the
following decisions within the limits of their approved plans and
company policy:Assortment/Shelf Management DecisionsPromotional
details and execution requirementsAd/Promotional item playCategory
business plans and overall merchandising strategyPerforms other
relevant job duties as required.Job Requirements:Bachelor s degree
preferred.Five (5) years of Category Management experience, with
proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Spectre
Daata, Syndicated Data Sources, and Category Management
applications.)Retail and/or vendor experience preferred.Basic
knowledge of the internal Buying system preferred.Solid negotiating
skills.Possess good communication skills, both verbal and
written.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 including 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
the ability to concentrate and deal with frequent
interruptions.Analytical skills to measure sales performance, item
performance within category and overall vendor funds management
performance.Some travel may be required.All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran
status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating
an inclusive and respectful environment for all. -
M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Keywords: UNFI, Cranston , Manager Category- Region Lead, Executive , Providence, Rhode Island
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