Job Description:
Onvo is seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager to lead merchandising initiatives across our travel plazas. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, optimizing assortment and pricing, managing vendor relationships, and driving profitable growth across assigned product categories.
The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with a passion for retail, using data-driven insights to enhance the customer experience and maximize category performance.
What You'll Do
Category Strategy & Merchandising Develop and execute category strategies that support company sales, margin, and growth objectives.
Manage product assortment, item selection, planograms, product lifecycle decisions, and category optimization.
Ensure the right products are available at the right price, in the right locations, and at the right time.
Analyze sales trends, customer purchasing behaviors, and market conditions to identify opportunities for growth.
Establish pricing strategies and margin targets for assigned categories.
Conduct competitive price surveys and recommend pricing actions to remain competitive while protecting profitability.
Vendor & Supplier Management Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Lead negotiations related to product costs, rebates, promotional funding, marketing support, delivery schedules, and service agreements.
Monitor vendor performance and ensure suppliers meet company expectations and service standards.
Identify new products, emerging trends, and strategic vendor opportunities.
Promotions & Marketing Plan and execute promotional programs for assigned categories.
Partner with Marketing and Operations teams to ensure successful promotion execution.
Communicate promotional plans, product launches, and merchandising initiatives clearly across the organization.
Evaluate promotional performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Operational Execution Work closely with store operations teams to ensure consistent execution of merchandising programs.
Conduct regular store visits to evaluate category performance, merchandising standards, pricing accuracy, and customer experience.
Support training initiatives related to product knowledge, merchandising programs, and category objectives.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Marketing, Pricebook, Finance, and Leadership.
Reporting & Analysis Analyze sales, profitability, inventory, and performance metrics for assigned categories.
Prepare and present regular business reviews and category performance reports.
Utilize data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and recommendations.
Serve as the subject matter expert for assigned categories and market trends.
What We're Looking For
5+ years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, convenience retail, travel plazas, grocery, or related industries.
Proven success developing and managing merchandise categories that drive sales and profitability.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data and make strategic recommendations.
Excellent negotiation, vendor management, and relationship-building skills.
Strong communication and presentation abilities.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Ability to travel regularly to store locations and industry events (approximately 30-40% travel).
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail reporting systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing, or a related field.
Experience within convenience retail, travel centers, fuel retail, grocery, or food service environments.
Familiarity with NetSuite and retail management systems.
Knowledge of category management principles, planogram development, and merchandising best practices.
Understanding of state alcohol regulations and category-specific…