Associate Category Manager - Dispensed Beverage & Bakery - Refuel Corporate

Job Title:  Associate Category Manager – Dispensed Beverage & Bakery

Reports To: Sr. Foodservice Category Manager                          FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

Type of Position: Full Time                                                               Effective Date: 8/16/2024

Job Summary: The Associate Category Manager is essential in our growth in fountain, frozen beverage, coffee, and baked goods programs across 200+ stores from the Carolina’s to Texas. He/She will be responsible for the selection of vendors, items, and services to generate sales and drive financial growth. You’ll work with some of the largest CPG manufacturers across the US. This

individual manages the ongoing implementation, execution, maintenance, and measurement of all elements within the category.  The Category Manager is also responsible for maintaining and growing category margin, manufacturer rebate programs and accelerating units. Bring your sweet tooth!

Associate Category Manager – Dispensed Beverage & Bakery

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Financial
• Manages all category expenditures and budgeted targets; manages variances and communicates developments in performance and trends to management. Creates action plans for improvement, or continuation of positive performance and results.
• Monitors the industry and competitive landscape. Analyzes internal data such as sales and pricing. Identifies patterns and market trends to help refine product strategies.
• Manages and is accountable for the financial performance of the category. Analyzes trends and re-evaluates pricing strategy or cost-of-goods structure as necessary.
• Works with leadership to create cost-reduction strategies and savings plan.
• Increases sales revenues and profits by promotional concepts and overlay programs, develops a category plan.  
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Collaborates cross-functionally by developing and maintaining key business relationships and communication with Category Management, Operations, Marketing, Accounting, Business Analysis, and outside vendors or suppliers to effectively manage existing- and implement new- products, programs, and category initiatives.
• Manages key vendor relationships including, but not limited to, contract negotiations, rebate processing, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Serves market segments and specific product needs by responding to consumer requests and trends.
• Works with field management to grow the category through effective programs that enhance brand image.
• Represents the category in various cross-functional meetings and manages ad-hoc special projects for the category as necessary.
• Stays up to date with all legislation, regulation changes, and requirements that may affect a product or service in our geographies.
• Role will be based in our corporate headquarters in North Charleston, South Carolina, and will report to the Sr. Foodservice Category Manager.
• Strong oral and written communication skills & the ability to work with others at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrates urgency to solve issues with strong problem-solving, prioritization, leadership, & time-management skills.
• The ability to develop, organize, & facilitate meetings with clear intention to subordinates and outside departmental leadership.  
• Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in business, or related field preferred.
• 2-5 years' experience in foodservice, merchandising, category management, sales and/or vendor management preferred. 
• Understanding of the retail customer a must, preferably within the convenience, grocery, or truck stop channels.
• Effective project management and decision-making skills. Experience managing organization change to deliver planned results to all stakeholders preferred.
• Experience with MS Office Suite, and intermediate to advanced Excel knowledge preferred.
• Strong accounting skills and ability to interpret complex financial data preferred. 

Working environment and physical requirements:

·        

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.·        

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Travel:  Must be able to travel up to 25%.

At-Will Employment:  This position is at-will, which means that either the employee or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or

without cause. 

EEO Statement: Refuel is an equal opportunity employment employer to all applicants and team members.  Refuel does not unlawfully discriminate on the bases of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any information based on genetic background, family-care status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression where a person’s gender-related appearance and behavior may not be  stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth, or any   other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The

job duties, responsibilities, requirements, and aspects stated in this job description are not meant to be exhaustive.  Additional job duties not listed here may be required.  Further, the Company may change or add the job duties, responsibilities, requirements, and aspects listed here at any time in its sole and final discretion.

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At Refuel, we want to change your view of what to expect from a convenience store. We are investing in technology and building innovative stores to be the brand you trust – for everything you need.

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