Manager III Category

Description:

As a Manager III Category at Giant Food, you will spearhead the strategic direction for your assigned product categories, encompassing category management, merchandising strategies, and pricing execution. Your primary focus will be to drive substantial sales growth and enhance profitability within these categories. This involves the development and implementation of customized category plans, the optimization of product assortments, the creation of effective in-store layouts, and the establishment of competitive pricing strategies. You will work closely with various internal teams to ensure seamless execution of key initiatives, provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and cultivate strong partnerships with vendors to capitalize on emerging market trends. Your leadership will be crucial in fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment, all while ensuring the achievement of critical strategic objectives.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Planning and Deployment:

• Formulate and execute long-range business plans and merchandising approaches for assigned categories/departments to achieve robust and profitable growth.
• Ensure category objectives align with overarching financial targets and the company's strategic vision.
• Collaborate and offer strategic input into the development and advancement of private label brands within your categories.
• Oversee the day-to-day operational activities to guarantee accuracy and timely completion of tasks.
• Continuously evaluate category performance metrics and make necessary adjustments to strategies based on insights.

Collaboration and Team Leadership:

• Partner effectively with Store Operations, Field Teams, and other cross-functional departments to ensure alignment on key initiatives, labor models, and efficient inventory management practices.
• Direct field merchandising efforts and conduct store visits to pinpoint opportunities for enhancement and optimization.
• Offer strategic direction on the evolution of private brand offerings and the introduction of category innovations.
• Lead the development and implementation of procurement strategies, replenishment processes, and inventory management across all Divisions.

Vendor and Supplier Relations:

• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with vendors, ensuring mutual alignment on sales targets, service level agreements, and adherence to compliance standards.
• Negotiate effectively with vendors and hold them accountable for meeting agreed-upon performance indicators and contractual obligations.

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure strict adherence to all relevant safety regulations and industry standards within the assigned categories.
• Collaborate closely with supply chain and logistics teams to streamline and optimize end-to-end supply chain operations.
• Establish methodologies and processes aimed at consistently improving customer perceptions of the category, leveraging consumer insights to enhance quality and brand image.
• Conduct regular site visits with stores, suppliers, and distribution partners; guide field merchandising teams to gain a thorough understanding of and effectively address the needs and opportunities within assigned categories/departments.

Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and foster the professional growth of the Category Management team, empowering them to make well-informed decisions and drive operational efficiency.

What You Will Bring:

• A minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in Category Management within the retail or grocery industry.
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and communicate with individuals at all levels of an organization in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities, with a proven track record of building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborative partnerships.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership approach that values diverse perspectives.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical problem-solving skills.
• A proactive mindset with a strong sense of urgency and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A deep commitment to fostering a culture of workplace excellence and experience leading teams through periods of organizational change.
• Ability to consistently meet established job requirements and work schedules.

Skills and Abilities:

Functional Competencies - Mastery Level

• Analysis & Insights: Expertly leverages market insights to develop forward-thinking strategies that anticipate market shifts.
• Assortment: Identifies significant opportunities to gain a substantial competitive edge through strategic assortment initiatives.
• eCommerce & Omnichannel Expertise: Provides substantial value through extensive knowledge and application of eCommerce and omnichannel best practices.
• Financial & Business Acumen: Applies a deep understanding of corporate business and financial principles to consistently deliver impactful results.
• In-Store & Digital Merchandising: Pinpoints key areas to achieve significant competitive advantages through innovative in-store and digital merchandising strategies.
• Internal & External Communication & Documentation: Ensures all communication is precisely tailored to the audience, providing essential information for successful outcomes.
• Negotiation: Develops innovative and effective solutions to navigate complex situations and achieve alignment among diverse parties.
• Pricing & Promotion: Strategically identifies and implements pricing and promotional tactics to secure significant competitive advantages.
• Product, Category Industry Knowledge: Offers substantial value to the company and shoppers through a comprehensive understanding of products, categories, and the broader marketplace.
• Product Development: Identifies crucial areas for gaining significant competitive advantages through strategic product development initiatives.
• Strategic Business Planning: Develops cutting-edge category plans that maximize return on investment and drive significant growth.
• Supply Chain: Leverages in-depth knowledge of the end-to-end supply chain to develop and implement innovative solutions.
• Systems & Technology: Possesses extensive knowledge of highly complex systems and software, and effectively supports others in their utilization.
• World-Class Collaborative Partnerships: Cultivates business relationships based on a long-term vision and fosters internal and external collaboration at the highest organizational levels.

The provided pay range serves as a general guideline and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of final compensation. Factors such as the specific responsibilities of the role, individual education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as considerations of internal equity, alignment with current market data, and applicable legal requirements, will be taken into account when extending an offer of employment.

Why Work at Giant?

At Giant, our passion for what we do is contagious, making it easy for you to love your work too! With over 80 years of history, we continue to build on our legacy of innovation, quality, value, and hard work, maintaining our leading position in the market and with our valued customers. At the heart of our success are our people.

Across our stores, distribution centers, and corporate headquarters, our thousands of associates share a common thread: the opportunity for career advancement. We take pride in promoting from within, offering avenues for learning and growth, training programs, educational opportunities, community involvement, recognition for contributions, and the chance to build a fulfilling career, not just hold a job.

We proudly support Business Resource Groups (BRGs), six voluntary employee-led groups that foster community and align with our mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. The BRGs offer programs designed to support their members and all our associates through social activities, volunteer opportunities, and professional development.

Our mission is centered on providing convenient meal solutions, recipe inspiration, and time-saving services like pickup and delivery, empowering our customers to prepare meals for their most cherished moments. Giant is also deeply committed to being a better neighbor, actively supporting our local communities through donations and charitable efforts focused on our key philanthropic causes.

We invite you to become part of the Giant family and join us on our journey to be a Better Place to Work, a Better Place to Shop, and a Better Neighbor. Because at Giant, our people truly make us who we are.