ENTRY LEVEL - Associate Category Manager, Convenience Stores

Position Title: Associate Category Manager/Pricebook, Graham Enterprise, Inc. (GEI)

Job Description: This position leads the execution of marketing strategy at the category level. A successful category manager at GEI contributes to the profitability of retail locations by increasing the volume of products that are sold within the category, and improving the speed of inventory turnover within the category

Reports To: Marketing Manager

Job Purpose: GEI Category Manager is an in-store expert in the merchandising, pricing, management, and sales of a certain group or type of products. As the expert of a specific category of products, the in-depth knowledge of the category manager will drive the pricing, shelving, marketing and promotions of the category's products in order to make them as visible, accessible, and appealing to customers as possible. Category Managers act as the key liaison between suppliers, store managers, marketing staff and operations. They are responsible for meeting or exceeding sales, margin, and corporate goals. Promote and abide by the high standards of GEI, and maintain regulatory and company compliances while upholding the highest standards of safety.

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure execution of marketing programs through:

a) Development of promotions

b) Determining product pricing at retail level

c) Deciding upon product mix and merchandising

d) Negotiating contracts with suppliers

e) Research and implementation of merchandising using effective methods. Develops and communicates inventory management & sales audit policies & best practices to the stores.

Primary contact for all product related issues from stores or suppliers.

Work with operations, site General Managers and marketing staff to ensure merchandising and product implementation is executed at store level.

Effectively solve problems occurring from stores or suppliers.

Explore new marketing techniques.

Find ways to add profitability to categories beyond product margin and traditional supplier funding.

Evaluate and analyze promotional effectiveness.

Develop cross category promotions with counterparts to maximize sales and margin.

Effectively negotiate with suppliers to secure promotional funding and merchandising assistance.

Develop product mix and planograms to maximize sales.

Adjust pricing on regular basis to maintain competitive advantage and maximize margins.

Implement programs that reduce product waste.

Assist with Pricebook related projects as needed.

Perform any other duties that are assigned by management.

Skills/Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in business, marketing or related field preferred

1-2 years of retail vendor management, marketing & merchandising experience strongly preferred.

Gas station/convenience store experience preferred

An analytical mind with a strategic ability and understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods

Proficient in MS Office

Ability to take initiatives and strategy execution. Have strong passion for customer service while utilizing exceptional people skills and have a desire to excel in everything you do.

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels

Execution-focused and detail-oriented with great organizational & problem solving skills. Ability to prioritize and multi-task.

Maintain a disciplined and integrated approach to increase profitability and improving the speed of inventory turnover within the category

Uphold company standards in personal appearance, work ethic, and customer service.

Have a can- do and team building attitude in everything you do while working at a GEI store.

*DISCLAIMER:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor. This document describes the position currently available. It is not an employment contract. Our company reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.