Category Manager

Overview:
Through management of the category and improved assortment, makes recommendations to for products to meet the needs of the customer store by store, item by item. Includes national, regional, and market recommendations for assigned categories. Performs narrowing (SKU rationalization) of categories and works with suppliers to narrow products supplied to the stores. Category Manager sources, develops, selects, tests, refines and implements products to yield incremental sales and profits.

**Responsibilities**:

- Manages, improves and recommends the product assortment for the stores on a national/regional and market basis for assigned category.
- Performs narrowing (SKU rationalization) of categories and works with suppliers to narrow products supplied to the stores.
- Identifies leverage opportunities and working with procurement negotiates contracts, supply agreements and/or programs to achieve the lowest possible acquisition costs (cost of goods) for products selected for the categories on an on-going basis.
- Solicits input from Division Merchandise Managers and Merchandisers into regionalization of assortment.
- Develops annual category plans which include current situation analysis, vision/strategy and specific category plans. Plans include assortment and positioning product improvements and development plans projected revenues and gross profit tactical elements for placement (display), price, promotion and communication to stores.
- Drills plans down into seasonal calendars, monthly implementation plans and 13 week assortment change calendars (add/delete).
- Performs monthly verification of plans and provides explanations for variances in budgeted sales/gross profit and provides projections for upcoming month.
- Develops an in-depth understanding of the key strategic initiatives and policies of merchandising and insures assigned category strategies are within Merchandising and Corporate strategy and policy.
- Manages product development process for assigned category. Identifies new suppliers to distribute products through CDC and works with Logistics and Procurement in negotiating quality expectations, reduced product costs, etc. with supplier at the senior management level.
- Manages the implementation of field tests for new products and categories. Provides on-going management, evaluation and refinement of new products and categories during field test.
- Reviews solicitations from potential suppliers to determine if potential product is viable for 7-Eleven. Reviews competitor pricing information gathered by Division Merchandising Managers
- and Merchandisers and pricing group and sets prices or approves pricing recommendations.
- Works with Marketing Department or advertising/promotions for assigned category. Works on POP, co-op agreements and promotion timetables and strategies. Ensures promotion information is included in Merchandise packet with suppliers.
- Develops cost/benefit analyses to determine return on advertising and promotion dollars.
- Works with Logistics group to forecast product supply as needed and provides information to suppliers or other relevant parties. Works with suppliers and/or other SEI managers to stabilize product supply through forecasting of key products and working with logistics to solve issues.
- Reviews and works with Logistics group and manufacturers to resolve out-of-stock issues.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with representatives and senior management of national suppliers. Meets on a regular basis to discuss new product development and ways to lower costs.
- Works with logistics and senior management of key suppliers to insure that we based on the products current method of distribution and changes recommended

Qualifications:

- Education: 4 Yr Degree or Equivalent Experience
- Experience: 5-7 years
- Understanding of financial methodology to determine costs and to develop annual business plans.
- Position requires use of mathematical and statistical concepts to analyze information and to prepare financial reports.
- Must possess exceptional written, oral communication and presentation skills.