Senior Category Merchant - Beer, Seltzer, and Hard Ciders
Company: Whole Foods Market
Location: Austin
Posted on: April 24, 2024
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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:
Accountable for the financial performance of an assigned category
or category area through pre-season strategy and planning.
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.
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.
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.
Leverages data-driven analyses and insights to support / lead
negotiations with current and potential suppliers. Analyze category
performance, trends, and competitive assortment and pricing.
Works with business partners to identify, develop, and implement
meaningful and measurable testing opportunities.
Translates and analyzes complex data, ensuring timely and effective
communication with all levels of the organization.
Leverages data-driven analyses and insights to support / lead
negotiations with current and potential suppliers
Additional Responsibilities
Documents learning history for company-wide application.
Uses analytics to define and drive goals of the team and
organization.
Supports and positively influences / negotiates team financial
goals, product mix, business relationships, innovation needs and
team culture.
Communicates and collaborates with key cross-functional
stakeholders to co-lead program / project development and ensure
effective execution.
Supports and ensures effective alignment with supply chain /
logistics activities.
In the area of Excluisive Brands, leads project management of new
product development lifecycle (Ideation - RFP - BA - Launch).
May partner with logistics on forecasting and optimizing
distribution and supply chain network.
May collaborate with legal counsel in reviewing and commenting on
legal documents / agreements (i.e. PLVA).
Leverages knowledge, experience, and refined instinct to engage
with / influence leadership on category vision development; ensures
vision balances both customer and industry perspectives.
Ensures vision supports higher-level objectives and encompasses a
breadth of forward-looking insight.
Provides coaching and mentoring for new TMs.
Serves as a resource on WFM capabilities and captainships.
Skills:
2-4 years of experience with adult beverage category
management.
Adult beverage state regulatory knowledge specifically for beer,
seltzers, and hard ciders.
Knowledge of retail business, including all aspects of pricing,
merchandising, retail operations, and financial analysis and
reporting.
Comfortable working cross-functionally and across geographies where
results are based on cooperation with and influence of others.
Solid change management skills, demonstrates flexibility to perform
in a dynamic environment.
Creative problem-solving skills, maturity to handle ambiguity.
Ability to multitask across projects simultaneously.
Ability to work well and fast under pressure.
Well-versed in the implementation and use of various retail
software solutions.
Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office
applications.
CM: Builds Category Management skill set and proficiency.
EB: Builds EB New Product Development & Management skill set and
proficiency.
Utilizes knowledge to recommend decisions and actions.
Makes item decisions independently but may leverage team leader for
final call on key decisions.
Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing business trends
and assessing underlying drivers of results.
Understands financial goals and guidelines.
Able to compare business to established targets, develop plans,
quantify initiatives and monitor progress.
Assesses audience needs and clearly communicates in both written
and verbal mediums.
Able to hold supplier meetings independently.
Education & 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
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