7/10/14
HBC Category Manager

Summary:  Responsible for merchandising, marketing, promotion, procurement, retail pricing of products and product commodities in assigned HBC categories.  Responsible for keeping a current comprehensive category business plan that includes measurable goals, timelines, sales and profit targets and maintaining desired market share.  Direct the development of an all-inclusive product marketing cycle by performing the following essential duties. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned or required. 

Working knowledge of the HBC trends and industry:

Product Sales and Management
• Manage multiple HBC categories both warehouse and DSD supplied. 
• Identifies market potential, establishes pricing and market strategies and estimate potential sales. Defines promotional activities, procures product, and profitably manages mature product through phase-out.
• Develop strategic and comprehensive category product assortment that includes sales plans that supports the overall Harris Teeter sales and marketing strategy. 
• Identify items for addition and deletion based on syndicated data as well as knowledge of market and industry trends.
• Participates in overall product and merchandising strategy, research and development requirements, development and manufacturing coordination for new and emerging products. 
• Maintain current knowledge of, comply with and enforce all company and local / state / federal regulatory requirement relating to product safety. 
• Manages day-to-day progress of product.
• Conducts market research to identify and track market trends in Beauty and Personal Care industry.
• Identify store brand opportunities and collaborate with multiple business areas to bring them to market.  Monitor and manage store brand sales, profit, volume and pricing versus goals. Provide technical expertise in support of new store brand product development and introduction to market.
• Maintain accurate and adequate records, contract and other information vital to protecting company assets.

Pricing Management
• Set, monitor and maintain retail prices according to the pricing strategy set by corporate to achieve sales and profit goals and competitive image. 
• Negotiate best pricing with vendor partners.
• Must be able to negotiate and have an understanding of contract requirements.
• Responsible for monitoring competitive pricing and promotional activities in the market.
• Produce competitive analysis materials comparing product with competitors.
• Maintains category and competitor ad history file containing items, retails, and timeframes

Promotional Planning for Sales and Profit
• Plan, organize and coordinate marketing and merchandising programs to ensure accomplishment of financial and budgetary goals concerning sales and gross profit objectives.
• Build relationships with vendor partners that enable effective sales planning and promotional programs to ensure sales and profit goals are attained. 
• Develop and communicate promotional activities and implement promotional plans in appropriate Harris Teeter system.
• Responsible for forecasting and procurement of promotional product.
• Responsible for tailoring category offerings and promotions that drive customer spend and profitability.
• Collaborate with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop and provide product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities.
• Assists in Market Research to identify and track market trends and sales in the industry.

Planogram Management
• Develop best-in-class, customer-focused shelf presentation with optimized product assortment. 
• Provides financial and technical justification for product selection and definition.
• Plan and execute first-to-market approach that includes a comprehensive customer focused review and reset cycle.
• Manage and maintain multiple planograms for each assigned category to ensure every size store has detailed shelf plan.
• Prepare and execute annual category reset plan based upon release of new items. 
• Ensure all products are available prior to the start of a set cycle.
• Oversee set team activities

Team Participation
• Participate as an integral part of merchandising team to support and advance Harris Teeter in achieving financial goals.
• Collaborate and communicate with a wide variety of functional areas such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, accounting and operations to develop and provide product definitions responsive to customer needs and market opportunities.
• Provides analytical and technical expertise and training to other associates in support of product sales and profit strategy.

Additional Job Functions:
• Performs other job duties as may be assigned or required.
• Communicate with multiple levels within company including procurement, operations, accounting and executive.
• Available to travel up to 1 week in duration, including overseas. 
• Stay current with industry trends thru Trade Magazines and other media.
• Attend seminars and trade shows related to the department upon approval by supervisor. 
• Visit Harris Teeter Supermarkets along with competitors on a regular basis. 

Competency:  To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Analytical - Collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures. 
• Design - Demonstrates attention to detail. 
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations. 
• Project Management – Assist in development of project plans; completes projects on time and budget.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer and store needs.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively.
• Change Management – Supports change within the organization.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; displays passion and optimism.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; works with integrity and ethically.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; benefits organization through outside activities.
• Strategic Thinking – Assist in the development of strategies to achieve organizational goals; analyzes market and competition.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; seeks increased responsibilities; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
• Innovation - Develops innovative approaches, products and ideas.
• Judgment - Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance.
• Quantity - Completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures.