Job Description

Whole Foods Market Seeks Innovative Packaged Meat Senior Category Merchant in Austin, TX!

Are you a data-driven strategist with a passion for animal welfare and the meat industry? Join our team as a Meat Senior Category Merchant and drive innovation, profitability, and customer satisfaction in our Smoked, Cooked, Cured, and Frozen Meat categories.

In this crucial role, you'll develop category goals, strategies, and assortments tailored to our core 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 animal welfare and sustainability standards.

Embrace a hybrid work environment, spending three days a week in our vibrant Austin office. Enjoy the perfect blend of in-person collaboration and the flexibility to thrive in your own space.

What You’ll Do:

• Drive Success: Take ownership of the financial performance for your category. Develop and execute pre-season strategies that align with our business goals.
• Strategize & Innovate: Create data-driven category strategies that leverage customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
• Curate Assortments: Collaborate with suppliers to bring the best products to our shelves. 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.
• 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.
• Mentorship: Share your knowledge and experience by coaching new team members. Be a resource for the wider team on category management best practices.

What You’ll Bring:

• Experience & Education: BA/BS degree and 4-6 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Meat product knowledge is strongly preferred.

• Category Management Skill Set: Knowledge of retail business, including all aspects of pricing, merchandising, retail operations, negotiation, and financial analysis and reporting including new product development and management.

• Analytical Skills: Proficient in pulling financial reports, analyzing business trends, and assessing underlying drivers of results.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Adept at learning new tools and systems.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence outcomes in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving: A creative mindset with a knack for solving problems and managing ambiguity. Ability to multitask and thrive under pressure.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences. Strong listening, empathy, and partnership skills to work cross-functionally and build trust.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a hunger to see your work every day represented on the shelf for millions of customers to see? Apply now and join Whole Foods Market's mission to nourish people and the planet with the finest quality foods.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

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