Associate Category Manager

Req ID:

BASIC PURPOSE: The Merchandising Planner position is responsible for every aspect of the product management process for all items within their given categories for all 600+ Loves Travel Stop Locations. This position directly supports our store locations, our primary customer, and the category management teams in ensuring planning to the execution phase is efficient for all involved.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Category Manager in building and executing strategies
• Ensure successful product launches through detailed planning and collaboration with internal teams
• Build and maintain relationships with vendor partners; lead collaboration meetings as necessary to align on business goals and expectations
• Analyze financial data and define key performance indicators to support decisions and measure success
• Manage the planning and execution of in-store and App promotions
• Monitor item attributes to prevent issues
• Maintain pricing structure and ensure rebate tracking is accurate
• Communicate to internal and external teams regarding projects, initiatives, and field directives
• Support Operations and promptly resolve store level issues

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree or higher preferred
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required
• Experience:
  • 1-3 years experience in retail environment preferred
  • Experience managing vendor relations is preferred
  • Proven track record of establishing and developing business relationships
    

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Hard skills: Microsoft Office, advanced Microsoft Excel skills, ability to learn complex systems
  • Soft Skills: Stable work history, good oral and verbal communications skills, team player, keen attention to detail, self-motivated & driven, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and strong analytical skills, ability to identify relevant data sources and extract insights from data
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Scheduling flexibility.
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator

#LI-Onsite

Job Function(s): Corporate

Loves has been fueling customers journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The companys core business is travel stops and convenience stores with more than 630 locations in 42 states. Loves continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Loves serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the companys award-winning culture.

The Loves Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industrys safest trucking fleets.
• Speedco and Loves Truck Care, the largest oil change and preventive maintenance and total truck care network.
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader.
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert.
• TVC Pro-driver, a commercial drivers license (CDL) protection subscription service.