Category Manager – Beer, Liquor & Cold Shelf

Our mission is to work as a team, taking responsibility in building loyalty with our customers and our co-workers, to exceed expectations providing products and services that combine high quality with integrity and to assist all internal and external customers to assure that their needs are met in a Customer Service Plus 1 manner.

Position Summary:

Responsible for directing a successful beverage and cold shelf category business plan across all Quality Dairy retail outlets. Work in partnership with Retail Operations to optimize localized craft beer, wine, packaged liquor, and refrigerated shelf assortments.

Job Duties: Beer, Liquor & Cold Shelf Category Manager

Category Strategy & Operations

• Direct and implement a successful category business plan (short and long term) and be responsible for directing beer, liquor, and cold shelf operations on a daily basis.
• Research, recommend and introduce new products that contribute to the success of the category, focusing heavily on regional market trends, craft breweries, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and localized consumer demands.
• Negotiate contracts, rebates and equipment as well as placement of product with beverage distributors, brokers, and breweries.
• Develop consumer and store promotions with appropriate communication and advertising recommendations.
• Utilize Profit per Facing calculations to assure proper product mix and movement across ambient shelves, cold vaults, and open-air beverage coolers.
• Ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulatory laws (such as Michigan MLCC rules) governing the sale, pricing, and distribution of alcohol.

Coordination with Retail Operations & Supply Chain

· Strive to meet inventory turns objectives by regularly monitoring performance to established metrics and reacting to shortfalls.

• Manage inventory levels to balance store needs with inventory investment, tracking high-volume holiday peaks and temperature-sensitive stock requirements.
• Assure product availability to the stores by understanding store demands and forecasting to meet demands.
• Ensure containment, root cause and corrective action is conducted on customer performance shortfalls.
• Work with the Marketing Department and other Retail Operations to develop and implement Plan-o-grams to maximize sales.
• Oversee plan-o-grams and promote understanding to maximize sales.
• Oversee in-store merchandising to deliver planned results, including cross-merchandising and promotional displays.

Retail Operations Partnership

• Work with Store Managers regarding product understanding, problems or questions, specifically regarding cold shelf product rotation (FIFO) and date codes.
• Work with Retail Operations to improve ordering procedures to allow more accurate ordering, receiving and inventory control in stores.
• Visit stores to observe results and effectiveness of products.

Team Building

• Support the company's goals and objectives by consistently communicating direction and performance trends.
• Develop working relationships that allow two-way open communication.

Relationships:

• Marketing Director (Immediate Supervisor): Keep informed of pertinent information. Communicate plans, problems, suggestions and questions.
• Retail Operations Directors/Supervisors: Communicate to establish understanding and working relationship. Communicate to effectively meet store and customer needs. Communicate to implement and evaluate promotions.
• Marketing Department: Oversee to deliver effective implementation, measurement and evaluation of promotions.
• Store Managers: Visit stores. Communicate issues regarding understanding of sales and trends. Assure resets and beverage vault planograms are communicated and completed in a timely and effective manner.

Mental/Physical Demands:

• Ability to manage, solve problems, make effective decisions, direct employees and discipline.
• Strong commitment toward task completion.
• Excellent oral and written skills.
• Ability to work irregular hours, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to use math skills for preparing reports.
• Ability to understand, follow and comply with safety procedures.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize time and meet quality expectations.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, climb, lift and pull repetitively.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (e.g., standard beverage cases/packages).
• Ability to withstand temperature and noise extremes (e.g., working inside store cold vaults).
• Ability to operate machinery and equipment related to job.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to use hands in a repetitive motion for prolonged periods of time.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years of successful retail food or convenience store category management, promotion planning, market research, new product development, negotiations and business plan experience.
• Prior category management experience explicitly handling Beer, Wine, and packaged Liquor portfolios.
• Familiar with procurement, logistics, inventory management, and the legal constraints of the three-tier distribution system.
• Ability to analyze and develop systems.
• Computer proficient in Word, Excel, and Space Planning / Planogramming software.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective business relationships within and outside the company.
• College degree preferred – Food Marketing, Business, or related field ideal.
• Convenience store experience highly desirable.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY STATES OR IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED BY THIS EMPLOYEE. INCUMBENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTION AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER DUTY AS REQUESTED BY THE SUPERVISOR.