Category Manager Grocery

Salary Range

USD $80,000.00/Yr. - USD $93,000.00/Yr.

Overview

Job Summary

The Category Manager - Grocery, is responsible for developing and maintaining category assortments, planograms, pricing, and promotional strategies that support Natural Grocers’ competitive position and profitability. This role leads supplier negotiations, drives margin performance, stays aligned with trends and seasonality, and supports successful store‑level execution through strong collaboration and oversight.

Responsibilities

Main Ingredients:

Assortments & Planograms

Develop and maintain core assortments and schematics, including new, exclusive, and private label items

Manage product introductions, discontinuations, and store‑specific assortments

Partner with coordinators and stores to ensure accurate and consistent execution, including new store launches

New Products & Vendor Support

Evaluate new products to ensure alignment with Natural Grocers’ quality standards

Negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive costs, value‑added programs, and exclusivity opportunities

Maintain strong vendor and broker relationships to support long‑term category growth

Ordering & Inventory

Manage promotional, new products, and new store ordering and new store order coordinating activities

Manage accurate pricing and inventory levels

Ensure returns, recalls, and related credits are properly executed and recovered

Promotions & Pricing

Manages promotional execution, documentation, and validation of vendor funding

Implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and margin goals

Oversee pricing, freight, and promotional discrepancies to minimize lost sales and margin risk

Communication & Collaboration

Serve as a key point of contact for stores, coordinators, suppliers, brokers, and internal partners

Provide guidance and education to support successful in‑store execution of purchasing initiatives

Supervisory Responsibilities

Hire, coach, and manage two Purchasing Assistant(s) or other support roles

Oversee daily workflow, accuracy, and prioritization

Conduct performance reviews and manage employee development and corrective actions in accordance with company policy

Qualifications

Recipe for Success:

Bachelor’s degree in business preferred

Minimum 3 years’ experience in a buying or category management role, preferably corporate retail in natural foods

Excellent written and communication skills are required 

Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines

Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, and Outlook are required

Previous experience with SAP a plus

Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze results 

Strong relationship building, negotiations, and influencing skills

Travel up to 25%