Senior Category Manager

The Opportunity

• Senior Category Manager at a growth-oriented energy company.
• Key part of the category management and marketing team.
• Develop and manage retail merchandise categories and vendors for all non-foodservice categories, and partner with the foodservice team to optimize in-store profitability.
• Create brand equity through category management, merchandising, marketing, and promotional strategies. 
• Be hands-on, inspired by driving profitable growth and helping store teams operationalize programs.
• Reporting to the Director of Customer Experience to optimize in-store performance. Manages development, implementation and communication of market specific monthly merchandising objectives, promotions, and strategies. Leverages loyalty programs and marketing resources to develop supporting programs and creative.

Key activities include: 

• Develops and drives performance of annual budgets for merchandise revenue, gross profit and gross margin that align with the long-range strategic plan.
• Approves and finalizes any promotional or retail price changes and supports POS before execution.
• Drives and supports all merchandise and in-store promotional activities designed to improve sales and gross profit dollars in local markets. Analyzes all sales and gross profit reports to identify trends and develop improvement recommendations.  Must be in tune with local market conditions, local products, and regional competition.
• Responsible for all merchandising functions.  Ensures that marketing plan and layout priorities for stores are consistent with marketing and financial objectives.  Organizes merchandising specific functions including category selection, product-pricing strategies, store schematics, equipment specifications, and reporting and tracking forms.
• Communicates and promotes marketing objectives and goals to the management team.
• Prepares and communicates monthly gross profit projection report and monitors monthly gross margin status by category.  Monitors and evaluates the monthly gross margin merchandise budget as it compares to the actual monthly sales and gross margin.
• Responsible for the approval of all aspects of securing supplier rebates and vendor contracts, including terms, negotiations, contract analysis, authorized items, etc. Works with the procurement and accounting teams as required.
• Participates as a team member in market survey and analysis projects for new locations. Assists in the design and development of new and reconfigured store facilities.  This includes recommending merchandising solutions and equipment evaluation in partnership with the facilities management team.
• Works closely with the price book team to actively manage category margin performance and retail pricing accuracy.  Works in partnership to manage rebate accruals, generate movement reports or required backup, investigates discrepancies, and communicates with accounting and vendors for timely set up and delivery of payments.
• Works closely with retail information technology and analytics support teams to define reporting requirements and support any program changes. 
• Consistently demonstrates leadership by supporting colleagues and especially helping store teams accomplish our collective goals.
• Work out of corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas. You will have primary responsibility for all in-store merchandise across Par Pacific's convenience retail business in Hawaii and the Mainland, currently the Spokane, WA region.

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position. Additional responsibilities and opportunities may be identified based on current business needs.

Qualifications

To meet the basic qualifications for this role, you will have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

Additional qualifications include:

• Four-year degree in business, marketing or related discipline preferred.
• Six or more years of convenience store or other retail buying experience, or retail multi-store operations management experience with merchandising focus required.
• Strong understanding of convenience store operations and regional customer tastes and preferences.
• Track record of sales and profitability growth.
• Knowledge of production selection, placement, purchasing, inventory management, pricing, and promotions.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness and ability to travel to retail sites in Hawaii and the Spokane, WA region and other Par Pacific locations as needed. Travel is expected to be up to 25%.
• Willingness and ability to work in stores a minimum of 4 full days per year.

About Us 

At Par Pacific, we own and operate market-leading energy and infrastructure businesses in logistically complex markets. We have built a team of oil and gas industry veterans and subject matter experts to lead our organization with an entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative, problem solving approach. We bring our diverse strengths and motivation to complex markets where we seek out diamonds in the rough. As a nimble, growing organization, we actively pursue new opportunities with corporate financing know-how, respond to local market demands, and adapt to changing external environments.

More Good Reasons to work for Par Pacific

Unique Culture 

There is nothing ordinary about Par Pacific -- a niche player in the energy space. And there's certainly nothing ordinary about Par Pacific employees. We are driven, hardworking, entrepreneurial-minded professionals who love to win. If that describes you, you'll fit right in. 

Location, Location, Location 

Because Par Pacific operates in some of the most beautiful places throughout the country, our employees get to make these places their home and enrich their lives. The office where you'll work is in the CityCentre in Houston, Texas, located on the west side of Houston near I-10 and the Sam Houston Tollway. It's a vibrant area of the city with plenty of places for lunch or to wind down after work.

Opportunistic growth strategy 

At Par Pacific, we look for operations with strong fundamentals and great employees who can move a business forward. Our management team has deep experience in the energy industry, as well as in leading mergers, acquisitions, and integrations of newly acquired companies. 

Focused on the future

We are an energy company that has recognized the imperative and embraced the opportunity to begin the transition from fossil fuels. We are developing products that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Excellent compensation and benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a strong comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, a robust allotment of paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, retirement savings plans, educational reimbursement, and more. Full-time employees (and their families) are offered medical (with prescription coverage), dental, vision, voluntary critical illness, accident, life/AD&D insurance, Flexible Spending Account and Employee Assistance Program.  Employees can purchase company stock at discounted prices through the Employee Stock Purchase Program. 

Our Headquarters

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, owns, manages and maintains interests in energy and infrastructure businesses. We are a growing energy company focused on renewable and conventional fuels in the Western United States. Par Pacific also owns 46% of Laramie Energy, LLC, a natural gas production company with operations and assets concentrated in Western Colorado.  Our common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the trading symbol "PARR".  

Our Refineries and Logistics Operations 

We own and operate refineries in Hawaii, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, with total operating throughput capacity of over 219 Mbpd. Par Pacific owns and operates one of the largest energy networks in Hawaii with 94,000 bpd of operating refining capacity, a logistics system supplying the major islands of the state and 90 retail locations. In the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, Par Pacific owns and operates 124,000 bpd of combined refining capacity and related multimodal logistics systems. 

Our Retail Operations 

We own and operate over 90 retail locations in Hawaii under the Hele and 76 brands and over 30 retail locations in Washington and Idaho under the nomnom brand. 

Par Pacific is an equal opportunity employer

Par Pacific prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status,genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law.  

Note: Par Pacific will not accept calls or unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters. All candidates are required to apply through this web posting.