Associate Category Manager - Stillwater, MN

Job Overview

The primary goal of the Associate Category Manager is to support the merchandising strategy for assigned categories and the overall Category Management team. This role is intended to be a progression step to a Category Manager role and includes smaller scope category management tasks: managing and executing the promotional strategy for a smaller scope category, managing specific supplier communication, soliciting and approving promotional plans, managing category assortment and working with the category manager to support business planning tasks with suppliers and retailers.

• Support 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. Measure results and adjusts plans as needed.
• Ensure that new items are accurately launched on a timely basis with appropriate communication to retail.
• Maintain relevant assortment necessary to meet retail customer needs, including regional and local brands and unique demographic requirements. Work with category manager to rationalize SKU assortment to maximize sales while controlling cost of carrying inventory, shrink and spoilage in assigned categories.
• Responsible for working with Shelf Management and Category Manager to support timely plan-o-gram execution for assigned categories.
• Accurately manage sell price including vendor cost, freight, BIV and active sales with the direction of the category manager lead or Director.
• 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 retail, 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 with the input of the Category Manager. 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 for assigned categories.
• Work with Category Manager and Category Merchandising Specialist to validate plan execution and adjust future plans.
• 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.
• 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.
• Collaborate with Customer Service on any retail issues regarding missing allowances, product costs and fees.
• Collaborate with 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, working with the Category Manager for support and guidance as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• 0-1 years of retail and/or vendor experience preferred.

• Basic knowledge of internal Buying system is 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.
• 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…