Grocery Category Manager

Why Work with Us?

For many people, it's the opportunity to work for an inclusive, local, values driven business that provides healthy, delicious, and sustainable foods to their community; it's also about people - the ability to work with a great team to create amazing customer experiences. Whatever your reason for joining us, know this, working with us makes a difference!

Position Summary:

The Grocery Category Manager plans the selection, pricing, promotion, and merchandising of Grocery products, including bulk, bread and refrigerated, to meet the co-op's objectives for sales growth and margin contribution, while managing price perception and meeting our standards of excellence for quality and merchandising.

Specific areas of accountability include product selection, pricing, promotions and merchandising, sampling, events, data analysis and database accuracy, signage requests, and providing guidance and resources to store leadership and staff in their area of accountability.

This role requires strategic thinking, an orientation towards results, excellent communication, collaboration, problem solving, intercultural competence, and multi-tasking / prioritization / organization skills, superior attention to detail as well as customer service, adaptability, initiative, self-awareness, resiliency, judgment, and integrity.

Reports to: Purchasing Director

Location: 622 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm or 9am - 5pm. Flexibility required to meet business needs. May work remotely up to two days per week.

Qualifications:

• Purchasing: Experience in the natural or conventional food industry including evaluating suppliers, negotiating contracts, reviewing products, determining price points
• Industry Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of the natural foods industry and current industry trends and products
• Time Management and Organization: Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize and manage time, successfully handle multiple demands, projects, and tasks in a fast-paced environment with superior attention to detail
• Results Driven: Demonstrated experience delivering results to meet organizational objectives
• Communication: Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills and communication including verbal and written with internal and external stakeholders
• Customer Service: Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional, timely and professional customer service to stakeholders, vendors and staff; ability to receive feedback
• Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to make informed decisions and recommend strategies for improving sales, based on market research and competitor analysis
• Adaptability and Resiliency: Proven ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and demands, along with the resiliency to handle setbacks and learn from experiences
• Math Skills: Demonstrated analytical ability and proficiency in math including data analysis, forecasting, pricing strategies and performance metrics
• Computer Skills: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Excel and computer-based applications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Industry Experience: Previous experience in category related to this position
• Multilingual

Benefits: Our pay and benefits focus on meeting the financial, health, and wellness needs of our staff. They include:

• 20% employee discount
• Excellent paid time off and paid volunteering
• 401(k) matching
• Low-cost health insurance premium options, and FREE access to primary care and mental health counseling for those enrolled in our medical insurance

We offer exceptional perks including:

• Free food "buddies"
• Employee referral bonuses
• Dress code that allows for inclusivity and creativity

Physical and Working Requirements:

The position involves frequent stationary tasks, along with occasional movement within the store, offices, storage, and classrooms. Occasional positioning is required to access both low and high shelving, equipment, and products. The job also entails the occasional movement of containers weighing up to 50 lbs. Grocery Category Managers utilize various equipment including but not limited to baler, pallet jack, computers, and printers. This role requires exchanging accurate information in person, over the phone, and through email and other written communication. Grocery Category Managers may be exposed to loud noises. Additionally, Grocery Category Managers must have the ability to travel between locations and to offsite locations and must meet the Mississippi Market's safe driver requirements. This position requires an individual to be at least 18 years old.

• Interested candidates: please include cover letter and resume with application.