National Category Director

Why choose us?

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:

• Deep Department & Category expertise and experience in Fresh categories: Meat and/or Seafood
• Field or relevant business experience where a solid understanding of marketing, merchandising, consumer research, and financial management practices have been gained
• Excellent understanding of store operations, merchandising methodologies and practices, and P&L and financial management
• Strong quantitative, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and experience in taking initiative and making decisive yet appropriate decisions
• Strong planning, facilitating, and organizing skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective relationships within and outside the company
• Strategy development skills
• Proven track record of being a strong negotiator
• Skilled in Category Business Planning
• Able to effectively lead a collaborative process with multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of procurement, logistics, and inventory management

We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:

• 5-10 plus years retail merchandising/category management and operations experience including perishable and non-perishable products and programs
• 3-5 plus years Market and or National level retail Meat and/or Seafood operations, merchandising/category, marketing, and finance experience.
• Have a passion for the Meat and/or Seafood industry, focusing on delighting our customers and continual focus on growing produce education and consumption with our customers.
• Demonstrated success record in collaborating with multiple functional areas to achieve overall company goals which would include but not limited to Markets, Senior Leadership, Replenishment and Vendor Partners.
• Experienced with successfully leading large-scale projects across multiple retail locations.
• Proven leadership and ability to lead by influencing others without direct authority, both formally and informally.
• Ability to create an environment that fosters learning, teaching, growth, risk-taking, and innovation.
• Balances the needs of multiple stakeholders while maintaining strong executive level partnerships.
• Highly self-motivated and self-learner that assumes personal accountability for results and performance that has a passion for lifelong learning and personal development.
• Demonstrated track record as proactive trusted advisor/leader in an organization, particularly around strategic issues to drive results.
• Proven ability to objectively interpret research, extract insights, link to strategies, and communicate in a motivating way.
• Ability to implement innovative plans in reaction to a range of business and consumer challenges and to sell these programs to our Market Management Teams.
• Ability to ask strategic and tactical questions leading to identification of root causes of problems; communication skills to motivate others to take action to address root causes and create solutions.
• Up to 40% travel depending on location

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficiency with merchandising tools (e.g., OMNI, IRI, Nielsen, Mintel, Periscope, Demand Tech, I2E, BI Dashboards, GOLD)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA)

We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:

We also provide a variety of benefits including:

• Competitive wages paid weekly

• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay).  For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

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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