Category Manager (Merchant)

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Chicago, IL

Apply

JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Accounts Receivable, Alternative Energy, Analysis Skills, Brand Management, Brand Marketing (Branding), Budgeting, Business Plan, Business Processes, Calculators, Campaigns, Category Management, Cost Effectiveness Analysis, Cross-Functional, Customer/Client Research, Demand Forecasting/Planning, Detail Oriented, Distribution Channel, Inventory Management, Keyboards, Manual Dexterity, Market Trend Analysis, Marketing, Merchandising, Metrics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft PowerPoint, Negotiation Skills, Operational Support, People Management, Performance Metrics, Physical Demands, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Testing, Profit & Loss, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Metrics, Reporting Skills, Retail Management, SAP, Sales Strategy, Strategic Planning, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Truck Driver, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Wholesale Industry, Writing Skills

LOCATION

Chicago, IL

POSTED

30+ days ago

*This is an onsite role located in Oklahoma City

Benefits: _*_ _Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance_ _* Paid Time Off * 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5% * Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance after 30 days * Competitive Pay * Career Development *_

Welcome to Love's: The Category Manager (Merchant) is responsible for leading the selection and purchasing of products that align with the company’s sales strategy and customer preferences. This role involves analyzing market trends, forecasting demand, negotiating with suppliers, and managing inventory to ensure optimal stock levels and profitability. By reviewing and interpreting market and customer insight data, the Merchant builds strategic plans that enhance the department’s competitive advantages.

Job Functions :

+ Oversee assigned categories within the Merchandise Department

+ Full ownership to develop, plan, and implement multi-year strategic plans for given categories

+ Leverage data and resources to make informed product-level and category-level decisions. Regularly review data to measure impacts of implemented strategies.

+ Deploy tests (product, fixture, vendor, distribution, etc.) and measure success metrics

+ Strategize, manage, support private brand consumable products. Work with Brand Managers to develop strategies for assortment, price, and promotion.

+ Own the 4 P’s of Marketing for given categories (product, place, price, promotion)

+ Develop & improve a set review process/Joint Business Planning Process (JBP)/LAB (yearly planning) for the merchandising department

+ Responsible for providing year-over-year growth and for exceeding budget and P&L goals

+ Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional team leaders. Partner with marketing, support, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies and campaigns.

+ Evaluate and select vendors based on performance metrics, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness. Own relationships of higher volume vendors, keeping the Supervisor/Manager informed of recent developments, challenges, support needed.

+ Prepare reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and recommendations

+ Manage, train, and develop Merchandise Planners

Experience and Qualifications:

+ HS Diploma or equivalent required

+ Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising, fashion merchandising or a related field is preferred

+ 3-5 years of category management experience in a retail setting

+ Experience managing vendor relations, 3rd party suppliers and distributors, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) required

+ Personnel supervision preferred

+ Accounts Receivable/Rebate. SAP, back office systems, and C-Store experience a plus

+ Product and brand development experience ideal

Skills and Physical Demands:

+ Hard skills: Knowledgeable and proficient within Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint etc), Data Tools

+ Soft Skills: Stable work history, good written and verbal communications skills, team player, attention to detail, self-motivated and responsible, ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment and strong analytical skills

+ Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping

+ Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator

#LI-Onsite

Our Culture:

Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award-winning culture.

Love’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.

Job Category: Corporate
EOE-Protected Veterans/Disability

About the Company

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Resume Resources

Free Resume Templates Free Resume Builder