Job Description

Category Manager- Specialty Foods

Corporate Office: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS – Hybrid Schedule Available

Department: Category Management

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The Category Manager is responsible for profitable sales growth of assigned Specialty Foods categories for AWG and our Members. They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization and supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Category Manager owns all item level decisions within their respective category(s) to include but not limited to proper product mix, costing, promotional plans, shelf placement, efficient and profitable procurement and item derived income to achieve category initiatives. The Category Manager must ensure that the programs are in trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position can manage one or more Category Assistant(s).

of Work:

• Develop and implement key category initiatives and strategies.

• Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.

• Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility.

• Develop and manage the AWG Brands assortment including product development to drive category sales and achieve targeted profitability.

• Manage vendor funding to maximize sales and profitability.

• Conduct regular category reviews to maximize category assortment and set category strategies.

• Responsible for managing event schedules and promotions.

• Responsible for overseeing input of all file maintenance is timely and accurate.

• Responsible for all vendor programs, allowances, performance funds, incentive funds, marketing funds, direct plant ship options, and maintaining efficiency incentives to gain a competitive advantage in our markets.

• Communicates and interacts with all cross functional departments (eg. Inventory Management, Center Store, Accounting, AWG Brands, and divisional sales teams.)

• Work with HGS Promotion team to implement sales programs, communicating categories and consumer trends.

• Visit key markets regularly to stay informed of competitive and market trends.

• Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.

Qualifications:

• Any combination of education, training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• College degree preferred.

• Minimum 3 years Consumer Products Goods or related industry experience.

• Working knowledge of sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, retail/wholesale/warehouse operations, category business planning, marketing, consumer research, and financial management.

• Minimal travel required: primary travel is to AWGmembers’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.

• Intermediate knowledge of business applications (eg. Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2024 were $12.1 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time

• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D

• Employee Assistance Program

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• Wellness Program

• Yearly Holiday Bonus