Category Manager

Req ID: 420529 

BASIC PURPOSE: The primary purpose of the Category Manager will make decisions regarding Deli Foods and Dispensed Beverages for our Love’s stores. The Category Manager will meet our company goals and expectations for sales and gross profit margin. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating with field operations, evaluating/analyzing their own buying decisions, and maximizing buying relationships with manufactures/suppliers of products for our stores.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the product selection and management of all aspects of dispensed beverages.
• Participate in product selection and management of all aspects of dispensed beverages
• Work with various internal and/or external departments on execution of retail decisions, planogram implementation, training, product launches, etc.
• Evaluate the company P&L’s for opportunities of improvement in key areas of the categories that are being managed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and manufacturing groups to ensure efficiency and secure the best cost and to maximize marketing/merchandising programs for Love’s.
• Negotiate with key manufacturing groups and suppliers to optimize the cost for Love’s as it relates to all categories being managed. 
• Create presentations or reviews for internal discussions of key business indicators (KBI’s).
• Subject matter expert on assigned categories.
• Participate in developing training materials and outline guides as required by Category Management.
• Work with electronic reporting tools (Manthan and Tableau) to support the Deli Ops, Area Merchandising Managers/Category Managers with execution of merchandising programs as they relate to the categories that are assigned.
• Handle other duties assigned as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required.
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, retailing, management, sales, or marketing preferred
• Experience:
  • 3-5 years of experience in food concepts, restaurant supply, merchandising, etc. preferred.
  • Must have prior experience with purchasing/buying products at a corporate or chain retail level.
  • Must have prior experience with product purchasing, negotiating, financial analysis, and inventory control.
  • Previous P&L management required
  • Previous experience with planogram execution required.
  • Previous role(s) in category management, to include broker/vender/supplier relationships preferred.
  • Previous experience in grocery/supermarket foodservice is preferred.

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Hard Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Power Point knowledge, and software including database applications
  • Soft Skills: Strong verbal and oral communication skills, keen attention to detail, ability to multitask, strong organizational skills, flexible, good relationship skills. Ability to work with various levels of management, and self motivated to take on additional tasks.
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision.
  • Must be able to travel and assist with the new store set up process. This means there will be some physically activity that will require lifting and merchandising of various items throughout the store.

Job Function(s): Operations 

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, we’ve provided customers with highway hospitality and “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” We’re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets
• Speedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialists
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert