Senior Category Manager- Retail

Company: United Natural Foods
Location: Stillwater
Posted on: January 18, 2026

Job Description:

*This role is hybrid located in Stillwater, MN. Purpose: The Senior Category Manager Meat (Sr. CM) is a strategic leader responsible for driving growth, profitability, and innovation within assigned categories. This role is pivotal in the development and execution of comprehensive Category Business Plans (CBP), leveraging data analytics, consumer insights, and market trends to achieve and exceed sales, margin, and market share targets. The Sr. CM collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, oversees vendor relationships, and provides guidance to Category Managers and other team members, ensuring alignment with overall business goals. This role demands a strategic thinker with robust analytical abilities, negotiation skills, and an ability to work independently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The Sr. CM will play a vital role in achieving business growth and competitive advantage by driving best-in-class category management practices and fostering innovation. Job Responsibilities: Category Business Planning & Execution: Develop and execute annual CBPs that align with broader business strategies and objectives. Establish and monitor quarterly and annual sales and margin targets for assigned categories or subcategories. Utilize advanced data analytics tools, including Nielsen data, to assess market trends, identify growth opportunities, and refine category strategies. Design innovative programs and products to differentiate the category in the market. Sales & Profit Optimization: Achieve or exceed sales and profitability targets through effective pricing, promotion, and assortment strategies. Evaluate the impact of these activities and adjust tactics as needed to drive continuous improvement. Regularly review category scorecards to track performance, identify trends, and align with profit and sales goals. Pricing Strategy: Develop and manage category-specific pricing strategies, collaborating with the pricing team to implement consistent pricing guidelines and goals. Review pricing tactics with senior leadership and adjust to align with market and business strategy. Oversee the pricing for national vendor items, maintaining a sensitive items list to optimize pricing integrity across markets. Promotional Strategy: Lead the design and execution of promotional calendars and ad space allocations. Negotiate terms for national deals and collaborate with senior leadership to maximize promotional opportunities across banners and departments. Track and analyze promotional effectiveness, providing insights for enhanced performance. Category Assortment & Shelf Management: Optimize category assortment, deciding on new product introductions, item discontinuations, and markdown strategies. Collaborate on the development of plan-o-grams (POG) to ensure impactful shelf presentation. Adapt category assortment and shelf layout to align with store clustering, regional demographics, and neighborhood market strategies. Vendor Relations & Sourcing: Cultivate strategic relationships with key suppliers, participating in national vendor negotiations to secure optimal terms. Establish and manage vendor funding strategies, classifying vendors, and managing contracts in collaboration with the legal team. Partner with procurement to ensure that sourcing plans support category strategies and objectives. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Team Leadership: Provide guidance and oversight to Category Managers, Category Merch Specialists, and Analysts, coaching high-performing individuals to foster growth and align with departmental objectives. Coordinate category management activities and provide project leadership, independently resolving issues and ensuring effective project execution. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with merchandising, store operations, and other teams to execute category plans seamlessly. Participate in joint business planning with strategic partners, ensuring that all aspects of category management align with corporate initiatives. Additional Responsibilities: Market Intelligence & Innovation: Stay informed of industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities to refine strategies and introduce innovative approaches within assigned categories. Regularly conduct store visits to assess merchandising effectiveness, gather insights, and identify areas for improvement. Reporting & Analysis: Prepare and present regular reports on category performance, competitive landscape, and strategic initiatives to senior management, contributing insights that drive informed decision-making. Performs other duties as assigned. Job Requirements: Education/ Certifications/Experience: (Required & Preferred) Bachelor’s degree preferred.: 5 Category Management experience, with proven performance using Category Management tools (e.g., Specter Data, Syndicated Data Sources and Category Management applications) Previous experience in store operations or merchandising preferred Has an in-depth understanding of store operations and merchandising methodologies and practices (P&L, financial management, etc.). Other Skills/ Abilities: Analytical Skills: Must have a strong knowledge base in supermarket retail and an understanding of consumer behavior in relation to product performance; must carry a detailed understanding of cause-effect relations between operational levers and performance (assortment/price vs. volume/margins) by utilizing financial, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and/or consumer research background. Strong planning and organizational skills. Management Skills: Experience in successfully leading, motivating and monitoring performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to partner with the banners as a team. Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to work successfully across all areas of the company; can successfully monitor performance; strong client management skills, particularly working with vendors; ability to influence and lead effective partnerships with the banners; can thrive in a complicated matrix environment. Innovation: Champions new ideas and initiatives and creates an environment that supports innovation; leverages fresh perspectives, breakthrough ideas, and new paradigms to create value in the market. Strategic Skills: Demonstrate ability to understand and think big picture; develop and deliver category plans and programs that compliment both the corporate and departmental strategies leading to strong category sales and profit performance. P&L Responsibilities: Proven understanding of financial reports, including prior experience with profit and loss (P&L) statement responsibility Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available. Physical Environment/ Demands: Some travel may be required Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday Stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job duties The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location. Hybrid Role: This position follows a hybrid schedule working in office some days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required. Cub is Minnesotas local grocery store, offering the best produce in town, a full selection of meat and seafood, deli and bakery favorites, pet food, gift cards and flowers, a full pharmacy and liquor stores nearby. Cub has been delivering great value and supporting the community for over 50 years. Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO or Competitive PTO plan, mentorship program/developmental opportunities, other benefits applicable to specific role. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Company: SUPERVALU Inc Compensation: UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state/provincial and local laws. Benefits: Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program (or retirement savings plan if in Canada); medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account (U.S. only), subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. Sales Positions Only: For sales positions that are commission-based, the above range is an estimate of total potential commission-based compensation during an associate’s first year, but UNFI offers an introductory period minimum of $680 per week. After the introductory period, as a 100% commission-based role, there is no set salary. UNFI’s commission plans are uncapped and average earnings vary depending on territory and sales achieved, among other factors. UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum. Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act or for Canadian applicants in accordance with provincial human rights legislation.

Keywords: United Natural Foods, Saint Cloud , Senior Category Manager- Retail, Retail - All , Stillwater, Minnesota