DKitchen Category Manager

DKitchen Category Manager

Dierbergs Markets is seeking a passionate and strategic Category Manager to lead innovation, product assortment, pricing, merchandising, and vendor partnerships in assigned categories with a focus on D Kitchen innovation. This role drives a consumer-centric approach through trend-forward strategies, culinary insights, and collaborative cross-functional planning. By delivering exceptional product experiences and staying ahead of market trends, the Category Manager plays a key role in achieving financial goals and advancing our Grow Every Day purpose.

How You'll Make an Impact

Driving Sales Growth
  • Responsible for producing a comprehensive and cohesive category strategy which successfully meets the needs of our customers and achieves financial goals
  • Curate and manage a relevant, data-informed product assortment rooted in value, quality, and market gaps
  • Leads innovation pipeline for D Kitchen product offering, in partnership with prepared foods managers and CK team. Proactively explore opportunities and partnerships to drive category success
  • Responsible for thought leadership and category expertise around trends and category innovation
  • Drive the day-to-day activities of a selling organization culture with a consumer-centric focus through Assortment, Merchandising, Promotions and Pricing responsibilities
  • Establish base and promotional pricing that meets the category financial goals
  • Aggressively maximize opportunities and mitigate risks through promotions, pricing, product placement and effective storytelling
  • Be a fierce student of the customer, the category and the competition
  • Utilize data analytics to gain actionable insights, guide decision-making and inform category strategies
  • Expand private label product assortment and development by utilizing data to identify gaps and new product trends to address market needs.

Executing Operational Standards
  • Build and foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders including (but not limited to) store operations, vendors, core managers, peers, marketing and host
  • Partner with internal and external teams to solve customer pain points, make products easy to find and purchase while providing excellent customer service at all times
  • Work to ensure proper inventory levels are in line with production demands and plans
  • Work directly with the Department Supervisor (Operations) to ensure operational standards are met; driving consistency and excellence in the execution of category strategies, displays and customer service
  • Partner with the Promotions team to ensure maximum product awareness in store and online
  • Foster a work environment that embodies the core values of Dierbergs, champion and develop a diverse and inclusive team environment

Managing Cost & Financial Performance
  • Lead vendor negotiations and develop strong, collaborative partnerships to optimize cost, quality, and service
  • Identify and present opportunities for cost savings and tailor strategies to meet financial goals
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of consumer data that includes pricing and promotion effectiveness, market trends, assortment evaluation and competitive analysis
  • Continually evaluate retail pricing based using tools and analysis; make recommendations to achieve category goals
  • Partner with vendors and brokers to plan and activate promotions across stores and digital channels, securing funding and investments (e.g. discounts, PIPs, media) to support long-term growth
  • Negotiate compelling discounts, offers and savings
  • Seek out and execute special buys and exclusive products that differentiate Dierbergs in the marketplace
  • Create visibility into category opportunities, risks, inventory commitments, and supply constraints
  • Partner closely with Finance team to ensure payments are received timely and accurately

What You'll Need
  • A true passion for food is essential!
  • 5-8 years of experience in Category Management or related roles within Food, Grocery Retail, Food Service
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple projects with consistent follow-through
  • Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, assess market trends, and improve results
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills; professional, approachable, and receptive to others' ideas and feedback
  • Proven negotiation skills and experience managing vendor relationships
  • Knowledge of merchandising and category management, retail operations, replenishment and item management systems preferred
  • Able to adapt to change and manage competing priorities in a positive, solution-oriented manner
  • Effectively collaborates with various functions in the business. Contributes to cross-functional projects
  • Highly proficient with Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel
  • BS or BA preferred

Why Dierbergs is right for you
  • Health and retirement benefitsincluding medical, dental, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, FSA, and life insurance
  • Weekly pay
  • Paid time offprovided, including sick days
  • Employee Assistance Programfor you and your family to assist in many of life's challenges, from short-term counseling, legal questions to financial guidance
  • Associate-only savings, free products, bonus points, sweepstakesand more - being a part of our team has its perks with Dierbergs Rewards
  • Wellness initiatives and volunteer opportunitiesto keep you healthy, engaged and involved
  • Rewards, recognition and appreciationprograms and events to spotlight you AND your exceptional talents
  • Opportunity to Grow Every Dayby building knowledge, supporting growth and creating connections - Let's GROW!
  • Career advancementand growth opportunities throughGROWU, our Learning & Development program for current and future Leaders

This job description is representative only and is not all inclusive of the responsibilities that the Associate may be required to perform.