Associate Category Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Texas Petroleum Group (TPG) is a retail fuel company managing ~300 retail gas stations in Texas with a variety of commercial constructs. Operating under the Tradename Timewise the team has a strong legacy of operating excellence in the Texas market and takes pride in their customer service and bottom-line focus. Recently acquired by Shell, Texas Petroleum Group is being operated independently as a wholly owned subsidiary and entering a phase of significant transformation and growth.

SUMMARY OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The companys Commercial Strategy team is growing and in search of a capable and experienced C-Store Associate Category Manager. This role manages categories as individual units of business, using data to make sales and profit-oriented decisions about pricing, promotions, product assortment and planning of space. The Associate Manager fosters relationships with vendors, collaborates with internal teams, and predicts results. Furthermore, the Associate Manager is responsible for the overall management and profitability of a specific product category(ies) within the company.

An excellent Associate Category Manager must have experience in understanding consumer needs within the c-store competitive retail environment. Must also own a commercial mindset, solid analytical skills, awareness of operational demands and comprehension of marketing and sales drivers.

The daily tasks include managing the performance of the assigned product categories, analyzing data or insights to meet customer needs and exceed the business performance in the wider c-store competitive channel. Associate Managers devise short term tactics and long-term development strategies for product categories and exit strategies for unsuccessful products.

Work Environment - Although a sizable portion of a retail Category Manager's work takes place behind the scenes, at the Texas Petroleum Group offices, Category Managers are expected to spend some operational time visiting stores.

Work Schedule - This role conforms to regular Texas Petroleum Group business hours, but it can require overtime in some situations.

JOB DUTIES:

• Develop and owns the category plan for the assigned categories following standards from the Shell Group, Category Management Association (CMA) and National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
• Foster trusted relationships with fast moving consumer group suppliers, to achieve improved commercial terms and quality of services to the business.
• Analyze data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends for the assigned category(ies).
• Devise short term tactics about promotions and pricing while creating assortment and space planning development with longer-term strategy implications in mind.
• Execute assortment optimization plans at least twice per year, inclusive of exit strategies for unsuccessful products.
• Develop business cases for growth activities linked to the assigned categories. These business cases support investments in capital and justify operational expenses.
• Forecasts future product demand to meet the requirements of the business annual operational plan.
• Execute management of the category product range and price book in strict adherence to the companys category definitions hierarchy which follows the standard of the US National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
• Lead special growth projects as needed and supporting the evolving agenda of the US Convenience Retail business.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Management skills: Experienced in the product and retail management activities cycle coupled with solid people and vendor relationship.
• Analytical skills: Retail Category Managers must be analytical and practical to manage the numbers part of their job effectively.
• Interpersonal and Communication skills: A successful retail Category Manager needs to be intuitive and personable to manage relationships inside and outside the organization. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential when dealing with vendors and coworkers.
• Negotiating skills: Retail Category Managers use good judgment and experience business projections and negotiating benefits to the organization and consumers.
• Critical thinking skills: Retail Category Managers are multi-taskers and effective analytical people that engage in multiple stages of the retail process.
• Attention to detail: Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.

• 3+ years of experience in Retail Category Management with proven history of accountability over fast moving consumer goods performance.
• Sound knowledge of Convenience Retail business processes including proficiency in the management of the category management cycle.
• Direct experience in the convenience or grocery channel, either as a Category Manager or supplier level key account or category management.
• Proven expertise in the retail fundamentals of buying, assorting, placement, merchandising, and operational processes is a significant advantage to the applicant.
• Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods - An analytical mind with a strategic ability to translate data into commercially and consumer attractive activities for growth is necessary.
• Firsthand retail store operations experience is desired but not expected.
• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing or retailing science is preferred.
• Certification in Category Management from CMA is a weighty application advantage
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel and Power Point
• Successful candidate must have the ability to think commercially and strategically coupled with sound knowledge of its associated operational implications.
• Must be a collaborator with solid interpersonal, communication and presentation skills as well as being initiative-taker and professional: take initiative, can work effectively with limited supervision.

Brand: Timewise Food Stores
Address: 11111 Wilcrest Green Dr Houston, TX - 77042
Property Description: CORP HOUSTON TX
Property Number: 000