Category Manager, Produce

About Sunterra:
As a family-owned company, we value many things, including our loyal customers, quality products, hard-working team members, and the communities in which we operate. From farm to market and right through to our customers' tables, we consistently operate with honesty, integrity, care, and pride. While we are in the fresh food business, our first priority is to be good to those around us. Just like finishing a hard day's work on the farm, working at Sunterra will provide you with a sense of ownership, pride, and the satisfaction of a job well done. We value our team members as much as our loyal customers, and we want you to be part of our amazing team. Come see what it’s like to work at Sunterra.
Position Summary:
Are you passionate about fresh produce and plants and understand the importance of quality As the Produce Category Manager, you'll oversee these categories, driving sales, managing margins, building vendor relationships, optimizing product mix, setting retail prices, negotiating costs, analyzing data, planning promotions, coordinating orders, ensuring supply continuity, and collaborating internally. If you're driven, solution-oriented, and see challenges as opportunities for growth, this role will help you develop your ownership, leadership, and collaboration skills. You will play a pivotal role in managing the category to enhance our offerings and drive sales. This position is essential for ensuring that our customers receive the best quality products while maintaining the unique shopping experience that Sunterra is known for.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:

- Category Management:

- Maintain and develop category strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and market share. Work with Purchasing Manager to implement strategies.
- Responsible for forecasting and achieving category sales goals, profit dollars and growth objectives.
- Serve as company Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned categories, staying abreast of category trends, commodity markets information, line product performance, competitors’ knowledge and local preferences (traveling as needed).
- Direct involvement and management of new product listing decisions and promotional initiatives.
- Support development of marketing strategies for applicable categories.

Supplier/Vendor Relations:

- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality produce.
- Manage selected supplier and vendor relationships; interview and negotiate with manufacturers, brokers and distributors.

Market Relations:

- Work collaboratively with all departments across the organization.
- Educate team members on existing and new products.
- Support and collaboration with all areas of the Sunterra organization including Operations, Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Sunterra Farms, Sunterra Meats, Sunterra Greenhouse and Soleterra.

Data Management:

- Compile orders from the stores and communicate to the suppliers, tracking shortages and planning next-day deliveries, making sure the products are available at the stores
- Analysis and report on purchasing metrics, creating standard and ad hoc reports
- Make recommendations for and develop and implement reporting to improve the reporting environment for Purchasing
- Perform price check with the competitors and build executive reports to present the data to the Purchasing Manager and the Senior Management Team
- Ensure that all data entered in the computer system is loyal to the source, accurate and well written

Pricing Strategy:

- Analyze market trends and competitor pricing to develop competitive pricing strategies that drive sales and margin.
- Manage assortment (including item setup & maintenance), follow and help shape pricing strategy, and lead shelf allocation process for assigned categories.

Merchandising:

- Collaborate with the Market teams to create visually appealing and effective produce displays that attract customers and drive sales.

Inventory Management:

- Monitor inventory levels to ensure optimal stock levels, minimize waste, and maximize freshness.

Market Analysis:

- Conduct regular market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats within the produce category.

Promotions:

- Plan and execute promotional activities to boost sales and customer engagement.
- Participate in special projects as assigned.

Quality Control:

- Ensure all produce meets the company's quality standards and complies with food safety regulations.

Reporting:

- Prepare regular reports on category performance, including sales, margins, and inventory levels.
- Review and communicate results on assigned categories, including internal and external strategic reviews.

Personal Attributes:

- Detail-oriented: Attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
- Innovative: Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions. Must be able to perform the essential functions of this po