National Category Director
Albertsons
National Category Director
Albertsons
Runs supermarket chains across the United States
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!
At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving.
What you will be doing
Albertsons Companies has an exciting opportunity to strategically manage a group of Fresh categories nationally for the entire organization. You will play an integral part in our growth and transformation as a company as we seek to provide industry leading customer experience and grow our market share in Fresh and across the store. In this role you must be comfortable as both a team leader and team player.
What does it take to be successful here? You have deep category expertise in Meat and/or Seafood. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a successful track record of managing high-functioning teams. You have an analytical mindset and can determine data-driven solutions to complex problems. You are a collaborative team member used to presenting analyses and insights to your peers and having discussions to resolve challenges. You are a passionate and proven negotiator. You are decisive in your actions, yet collaborative in your approach. You want to be part of a team that will build category expertise and an amazing culture to drive the overall success of the company. If that's you then what are we waiting for? Let's do this!
The National roles will have significant responsibilities and ownership of a group of fresh categories; we need our best talent to drive results for our company. Our merchandising leaders will have a well-rounded merch experience across our Region, Market, and National roles. Finally, as a team member of the Fresh National team, you will gain exposure across all 11 Markets and our corporate leaders, working closely with a cross-functional team from across the organization.
Main responsibilities:
The National Director of Category Development– Meat & Seafood will report to a Vice President - National Merchandising (and up through the Group Vice President of Fresh) and will be responsible for developing and managing category development strategies for a group of Fresh categories. As a National Director of Category Development–you will collaborate with Market merchants & functional partners and lead category planning activities for your assigned categories.
This is a significant opportunity to make a difference in retail transformation on a scale. As the leader of your categories, you will work closely with the National, Region, and Market merchandising/replenishment leadership teams to determine category strategies. You will develop deep category expertise, including understanding of category trends, innovations, consumer preferences, nuances by geography and customer segments, and competitor activity. Collaborating with the National Director of Replenishment, you will negotiate with suppliers on behalf of the markets.
Category Management – Strategically manages Meat & Seafood categories to meet sales, profit, and market share targets at the national and market level. Creates and implements category strategy and tactics, including but not limited too; pricing, promotion, and assortment strategy for each assigned category, based on a detailed and analytically driven planning process, relying on significant collaboration with markets and functional leaders. Leads the category planning process with national and market merchants to maximize category performance across all of Albertsons and within each market. Serves as the company’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned categories. Research category trends, innovations, competitors, and regional preferences. Directly responsible for making critical decisions for the category, while working with market leads to consider market nuances and functional teams and drive to the right answer.
Supplier Relationships / Negotiations / Sources of Supply – Conducts, with the National Director of Replenishment, all company-wide negotiations with suppliers of assigned categories, including but not limited to annual planning cost, funding, supply agreements, etc. while collaborating with market input and preferences. Acts as the primary contact for all vendors in assigned categories as it relates to category strategies and tactics. Meets with vendors on a consistent basis for category and product updates. Attends key vendor meetings. Develops supplier joint category development plan (where applicable) by leveraging scale of the organization to achieve the best possible cost of goods. With the National Director of Replenishment, evaluates supplier performance, collaborating with market merchandising and replenishment team as needed. Communicates negotiations outcomes to markets to enable them to plan and execute promotional events and local ads. Collaborates with the National Director of Replenishment planning of source of supply and rotations of supply throughout the year,
Data & Analytics – Leverages data to drive all decision-making. Maintains weekly, quarterly, and yearly scorecards to track sales, profit, and market share of each category. Oversees the utilization of merchant tools to conduct category data analysis. Works closely with functional team members and market merchants to collect and synthesize inputs (e.g., market promotional funding, local assortment considerations, Own Brands considerations, eCommerce strategy, and competitor benchmarking sets) to be used during the merchandising planning process. Manages and maximizes category(s) promotional plans to achieve most efficient use of vendor dollars for every market. Creates sales and profit projections at the category level. Conducts in depth post- promotional analysis at the item and category level in preparation for the next promotional plan. Uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize and anticipate issues and opportunities. Elevates analyses beyond reporting and translates insight into retail action.
Collaboration – Works closely with National Directors of Merchandising and Replenishment, Market Sales & Replenishment Managers. Understands market needs / projection and integrates these into the overall category business plan. Works closely with multiple internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Own Brands, Operations) to connect business opportunities and develop both strategic and tactical solutions. Cultivates team morale, motivation, and loyalty through continuous training and mentorship, setting obtainable performance goals and provides clear communication and constructive feedback.
Diversity & Inclusion – Develops an approach that considers associates and leaders from across the organization and draws diverse perspectives into the design recommendation. Fosters a diverse and inclusive team and work environment and role models our culture and leadership practices.
Talent Management – Demonstrates effective leadership skills and abilities. Develops professional materials and opportunities, including unique experiences and well-designed programs, to train and retain merchandising talent and drive category expertise. Applies knowledge of leadership competency frameworks and a variety of proven practices, tools, and techniques that help leaders develop in their jobs.
The ideal candidate has an entrepreneurial spirit and a successful track record of delivering results. They hold a curious mindset, are innovative and bring creativity to improving processes with a keen eye for efficiency and automation. They want to be part of a team that will lead a retail transformation, build an amazing culture, and drive the overall success of the company
We are looking for candidates who possess the following:
We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:
We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:
We also provide a variety of benefits including:
Our Values – Click below to view video: ACI Values
A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.
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Runs supermarket chains across the United States
Albertsons runs supermarket chains across the United States, selling groceries, fresh food and household goods under regional banners such as Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME and Shaw's. Instead of one national brand, it keeps local store names that shoppers have used for decades and stocks its own labels such as Signature Select and O Organics next to national brands. Customers shop in stores or through its apps and websites for curbside pickup and home delivery, with digital coupons and rewards tied to the Albertsons for U loyalty program. It earns money mainly from retail sales in stores and online, plus fuel and advertising sold to consumer brands. Albertsons was founded in 1939 and is based in Boise, Idaho.
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