Senior Category Manager, Smoked Meats, WFM Meat Merchandising

Whole Foods Market is seeking a dynamic category merchant to lead our Smoked, Cooked, and Cured Meat category in Austin, TX.

Are you a data-driven strategist with a passion for a fast paced and dynamic set of categories? Join our team and drive innovation, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

In this high visibility role, you'll develop category goals, strategies, and assortments tailored to our customers. You'll collaborate cross-functionally to execute category resets, manage supplier relationships, and deliver business results through data-rich, customer-centric product selection, pricing, presentation, and promotion.

You'll get to contribute to a team that is leading the industry in advancing sustainability standards, and drive innovation with suppliers.

Key job responsibilities

• Strategize & Innovate: Create data-driven customer centric category strategies that leverage customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
• Drive Success: Take ownership of the financial performance for your category. Develop and execute pre-season strategies that align with our business goals.
• Curate Assortments: Collaborate with suppliers to bring the best products to our stores and online channels. Lead line reviews, assortment planning, and item forecasting.
• Pricing & Promotion: Help shape pricing strategies that balance profitability with customer value. Work with marketing teams to support impactful promotional events.
• Supplier Relationships: Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers. Negotiate for early access to new products, exclusive items, and competitive costs.
• Item Management: Maintain accurate item level data in partnership with support teams that adhere to regulatory compliance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Merchandising Planning, Operations, Procurement, and other teams to ensure smooth execution of category goals.
• Analyze & Adapt: Monitor category performance and adapt strategies based on data insights. Lead testing initiatives to continuously improve our offerings.
• Brand Advocacy. Consistently represent and promote our brand values, products and mission, acting as a trusted representative internally and externally.
• Mentorship: Share your knowledge and experience by coaching other team members.

Basic qualifications