Category Manager – Dairy/Meat

The Job in a Nutshell

The Category Manager – Dairy/Meat, is responsible for developing and maintaining category assortments, planograms, pricing, and promotional strategies that support Natural Grocers’ competitive position and profitability. This role leads supplier negotiations, drives margin performance, stays aligned with trends and seasonality, and supports successful store‑level execution through strong collaboration and oversight.

Main Ingredients:

1. Assortments & Planograms

1. Develop and maintain core assortments and schematics, including new, exclusive, and private label items
2. Manage product introductions, discontinuations, and store‑specific assortments
3. Partner with coordinators and stores to ensure accurate and consistent execution, including new store launches

2. New Products & Vendor Support

1. Evaluate new products to ensure alignment with Natural Grocers’ quality standards
2. Negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive costs, value‑added programs, and exclusivity opportunities
3. Maintain strong vendor and broker relationships to support long‑term category growth

3. Ordering & Inventory

1. Manage promotional, new products, and new store ordering activities
2. Manage accurate pricing and inventory levels
3. Ensure returns, recalls, and related credits are properly executed and recovered

4. Promotions & Pricing

1. Manages promotional execution, documentation, and validation of vendor funding
2. Implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and margin goals
3. Oversee pricing, freight, and promotional discrepancies to minimize lost sales and margin risk

5. Communication & Collaboration

1. Serve as a key point of contact for stores, coordinators, suppliers, brokers, and internal partners
2. Provide guidance and education to support successful in‑store execution of purchasing initiatives

6. Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Hire, coach, and manage Purchasing Assistant(s) or other support roles
2. Oversee daily workflow, accuracy, and prioritization
3. Conduct performance reviews and manage employee development and corrective actions in accordance with company policy

Recipe for Success:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business preferred
2. Minimum 3 years’ experience in a buying or category management role, preferably corporate retail in natural foods
3. Excellent written and communication skills are required 
4. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines
5. Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, and Outlook are required
6. Previous experience with SAP a plus
7. Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze results 
8. Strong relationship building, negotiations, and influencing skills
9. Travel up to 25%

This job description is not an employment contract.  It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities.  The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice.  Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.