Job Description

Nutters Everyday Naturals: Category Manager

Reports to: Director of Operations

Role Purpose:

The Category Manager is a strategic, analytical, and industry leader responsible for maximizing the sales, gross margin, profitability, and inventory efficiency across their assigned categories. This role is crucial for driving increased transaction unit growth and average basket spend, while successfully executing key vendor programs (Flyer & Co-op) essential for supporting Nutters Everyday Naturals' same store sales and franchise expansion goals.

Core Accountabilities & Responsibilities

A. Financial Strategy & Profitability

1.

Pricing & Margin Management: Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing review of the company's pricing strategies. Proactively assess category items for pricing changes and promotional opportunities to ensure both competitiveness and maximum margin growth across stores and warehouse. Analyze competitive pricing and market trends to support informed decision-making. Provide recommendations on pricing adjustments, markdowns, and promotional pricing to achieve sales and financial objectives.

2.

Performance Analysis: Conduct deep-dive analysis using sales and KPI data, market trends, and assortments identify growth opportunities, sales forecasts, and report KPIs during monthly 1:1 with your manager.

3.

Strategic Planning: Develop and execute long-term category plans (1-3 years) that are aligned with the business goal of increasing basket spend and positioning the product mix for same store and network expansion.

B. Vendor Partnership and Program Execution

1.

Vendor Negotiation & Relationship: Cultivate and maintain robust, mutually beneficial relationships with manufacturers, brokers, and vendors. Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, secure co-op and flyer funding, and strategic terms and volume deals to maximize vendor participation in the programs, rebates and margin growth.

2.

Promotional Program Management: Manage the planning, development and execution of promotional flyers and the vendor Co-op Buy-in Program for assigned categories. Collaborate with marketing, vendors, and store teams to ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness of content for consistent execution. Monitor and track ROI and recommend improvements to maximize customer engagement and KPI growth.

3.

Sourcing & Innovation: Actively source and negotiate new items that meet evolving consumer needs and Nutters Everyday Naturals' company purpose (natural, organic, wellness trends). Test items in select stores and seek store feedback. Manage the entire product lifecycle, including category rationalization and developing exit strategies for underperforming items.

C. Merchandising, Execution, and Supply Chain

1.

Category Expertise: Maintain comprehensive oversight of all products within assigned categories: Grocery, Bulk, Frozen, Pet, Home, Vitamins, Supplements, Personal Care, Christmas Program. Categories are subject to change based on business needs.

2.

Visual Merchandising: Develop and execute clear, repeatable planograms and visual merchandising guidelines for stores. Seek merchandising examples and provide stores with guidance in partnership with the Area Manager(s). Optimize shelf space, endcap placement, and impulse sales displays to maximize product visibility and appeal across the network.

3.

Inventory & Logistics: Oversee inventory levels at the warehouse, coordinate bookings for special purchases, and actively manage stock to minimize out-of-stocks and address expiry/spoilage issues.

D. Store Support, Education & People Leadership

1.

People Leadership: Manage and develop the performance of all direct reports. Set annual goals, conduct performance reviews, and provide coaching to maximize the team's contribution to category sales and margin objectives.

2.

Educational Leadership: Co-lead the monthly store education meetings. Develop and deliver high-value content, often featuring vendor partners, to ensure store are product-expert resources for customers, thereby driving sales, units and basket growth.

3.

Store Programs: Develop and execute franchisee rebate, discount, and incentive programs to maximize warehouse purchasing volume, thereby supporting store margin growth.

4.

In-Store Engagement: Partner with Franchisees, Store Managers, Area Managers, and Marketing to support in-store events with product mix and consistent execution of merchandising strategies.

Required Skills & Experience

Education:

Bachelor's degree in business or supply chain, or Retail Management, or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Experience:

3+ years of proven experience in Category Management, Merchandising, Buying, or a related role, preferably within the retail or natural food industry.

Technical Proficiency:

Demonstrated ability to proficiently use retail data analysis, inventory, and merchandising systems to track performance, manage pricing, and execute category plans.

Industry Knowledge:

Strong experience or demonstrated passion for the Natural Health, Vitamins, and Supplements industry is highly valued.

Competencies:

Strong negotiation, communication and collaboration skills; Analytical capabilities; Planning, organization and time management expert; Execution and follow through excellence; Self-starter.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Paid time off Store discount Wellness program
Work Location: In person