Sr Category Manager, Prepared Foods, Whole Foods Market

Manages assigned Prepared Foods category(ies) for Whole Foods Market. Provides ownership of assigned categories within PFDS, including category execution, supplier relationships, and assortment management. Contributes to the financial performance of the PFDS department through effective category management. Develops product assortments that deliver culinary elevation and best-in-class quality, creating a differentiated food experience that positions Whole Foods Market as the undisputed destination for craveable, chef-inspired prepared meals and solutions. Focuses on building assortments that balance innovation, quality, and customer appeal to drive category growth and customer loyalty.

Key job responsibilities

Category Execution & Financial Performance

• Execute the financial plans for assigned PFDS categories, including in-season execution and post-season analysis
• Support category strategy development based on financial expectations, performance trends, customer insights, and competitive landscape
• Track and analyze category performance metrics, trends, and competitive positioning
• Implement category pricing tactics to achieve financial and customer objectives

Promotional Planning & Execution

• Execute assigned category promotional plans, including key promotional events and in-season adjustments based on sales performance
• Partner with stakeholders to implement merchandising plans, planograms, and space planning

Supplier Partnerships & Vendor Management

• Build productive relationships with key suppliers to gain insight into trends and products
• Support vendor negotiations and cost increase justifications in partnership with senior team members

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner effectively with cross-functional teams to support category objectives
• Work with business partners to identify opportunities for process improvement
• Contribute expertise on pricing and category analysis within the merchant organization

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develops effective working relationships with stakeholders across functions
• Presents recommendations and insights to managers and senior individual contributors
• Facilitates productive dialogue and works to resolve cross-functional challenges
• Collaborates to develop solutions that support business objectives

Operational Excellence

• Tracks key metrics to measure category performance and customer experience
• Uses data-driven insights to identify improvement opportunities
• Manages project planning including timelines and resource requirements
• Understands how category decisions impact business performance