Senior Category Merchant - Beer, Seltzer, and Hard Ciders

Company: Whole Foods Market
Location: Austin
Posted on: April 24, 2024

Job Description:

Job Description
Job Description
Whole Foods was founded in 1980 on the belief that where food comes from, and how it's grown, matters. It meant creating quality standards, working with suppliers who achieve them, and sharing that information with our customers. And it radically changed the way people understood and shopped for food. The result has been the highest quality natural and organic products, an unmatched experience in more than 500+ stores, with a passionate team of over 100,000 team members, 5 percent of our total net profits given back to our communities each year, and millions of customers who put their trust in us every day.
This highly visible role will serve as a Category Manager 1 for Beer, Hard Cider, Hard Seltzer, etc. and involves developing category goals and strategies as well as product assortments tailored to our core customer base, ensuring a balanced mix of national, regional and local products , and collaborations and LTO items to set Whole Foods Market apart from competitors. Responsibilities include managing business financial performance, devising strategies for profitable sales growth through data-driven, customer-centric assortment selection, product development, pricing strategies, presentation, and promotions. Collaboration with various teams like Distributors, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Operations Leadership, and Suppliers is crucial for effectively delivering on category goals and strategies.
This role will report directly into the Category Merchant II as part of the Global Culinary Adult Beverages organization.
Location: Austin, TX - This role is based in Austin, TX with an expectation of 3 days a week in the Store Support office
Responsibilities:

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  Accountable for the financial performance of an assigned category or category area through pre-season strategy and planning.
  
  
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  Develops category strategy for less complex categories based on financial expectations, category role, category performance, customer and product trends, competitive landscape and WFM differentiators. You will also execute category assortment plans including supplier line reviews, assortment analysis, internal stakeholder collaboration, item planning and forecasting.
  
  
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  Works to ensure effective integration of branded / exclusive programs into overall category strategies. By working with suppliers / vendors to obtain information about new trends and products, potential new items, competitor practices, and other factors that may impact category analysis and planning. Further partnership with support teams to ensure category execution (e.g. new item set up and planogramming) will be done.
  
  
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  Engages with suppliers to ensure early insight into trends and products; early and exclusive access to new items; differentiated products, merchandising and promotions and competitive costs.
  
  
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  Leverages data-driven analyses and insights to support / lead negotiations with current and potential suppliers. Analyze category performance, trends, and competitive assortment and pricing.
  
  
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  Works with business partners to identify, develop, and implement meaningful and measurable testing opportunities.
  
  
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  Translates and analyzes complex data, ensuring timely and effective communication with all levels of the organization.
  
  
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  Leverages data-driven analyses and insights to support / lead negotiations with current and potential suppliers
  
  
  Additional Responsibilities
  
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    Documents learning history for company-wide application.
    
    
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    Uses analytics to define and drive goals of the team and organization.
    
    
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    Supports and positively influences / negotiates team financial goals, product mix, business relationships, innovation needs and team culture.
    
    
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    Communicates and collaborates with key cross-functional stakeholders to co-lead program / project development and ensure effective execution.
    
    
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    Supports and ensures effective alignment with supply chain / logistics activities.
    
    
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    In the area of Excluisive Brands, leads project management of new product development lifecycle (Ideation - RFP - BA - Launch).
    
    
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    May partner with logistics on forecasting and optimizing distribution and supply chain network.
    
    
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    May collaborate with legal counsel in reviewing and commenting on legal documents / agreements (i.e. PLVA).
    
    
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    Leverages knowledge, experience, and refined instinct to engage with / influence leadership on category vision development; ensures vision balances both customer and industry perspectives.
    
    
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    Ensures vision supports higher-level objectives and encompasses a breadth of forward-looking insight.
    
    
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    Provides coaching and mentoring for new TMs.
    
    
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    Serves as a resource on WFM capabilities and captainships.
    
    
    Skills:
    
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      2-4 years of experience with adult beverage category management.
      
      
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      Adult beverage state regulatory knowledge specifically for beer, seltzers, and hard ciders.
      
      
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      Knowledge of retail business, including all aspects of pricing, merchandising, retail operations, and financial analysis and reporting.
      
      
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      Comfortable working cross-functionally and across geographies where results are based on cooperation with and influence of others.
      
      
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      Solid change management skills, demonstrates flexibility to perform in a dynamic environment.
      
      
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      Creative problem-solving skills, maturity to handle ambiguity.
      
      
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      Ability to multitask across projects simultaneously.
      
      
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      Ability to work well and fast under pressure.
      
      
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      Well-versed in the implementation and use of various retail software solutions.
      
      
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      Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications.
      
      
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      CM: Builds Category Management skill set and proficiency.
      
      
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      EB: Builds EB New Product Development & Management skill set and proficiency.
      
      
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      Utilizes knowledge to recommend decisions and actions.
      
      
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      Makes item decisions independently but may leverage team leader for final call on key decisions.
      
      
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      Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing business trends and assessing underlying drivers of results.
      
      
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      Understands financial goals and guidelines.
      
      
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      Able to compare business to established targets, develop plans, quantify initiatives and monitor progress.
      
      
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      Assesses audience needs and clearly communicates in both written and verbal mediums.
      
      
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      Able to hold supplier meetings independently.
      
      
      Education & Experience:
      
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      • BA/BS degree and 4-6 years' relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
        
        At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
        Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.

Keywords: Whole Foods Market, Austin , Senior Category Merchant - Beer, Seltzer, and Hard Ciders, Other , Austin, Texas