Job Description

The Senior Category Manager, Fresh Food will take the lead in crafting, executing, assessing, and refining an extensive array of foodservice retail initiatives. This role encompasses branding strategies, merchandising approaches, and promotional campaigns designed to drive sustainable business growth, elevate brand visibility, and boost profitability. The Senior Category Manager will work closely with various teams, including Marketing, Product Development, Supply Chain, Enterprise Productivity, Finance, IT, and Operations. Through innovative thinking and data-driven insights, the Senior Category Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our fresh food offerings.

Principal Duties:

Provide strategic leadership in attaining or exceeding corporate and department goals related to key Foodservice brands.  Define, develop and partner with key cross functional stakeholders on implementing the strategic initiatives required to achieve the long-range plan. Develop and execute strategic plans that are aligned with and support corporate goals and strategies. Protect and grow market share in the four key Foodservice categories; AM Foods, PM Foods, Beverages and Snacks.Lead cross functional teams in projects that support the long-range planning from ideation to implementation.  Maintain primary responsibility to meet or exceed Foodservice budgetary goals.Identify competitive market research required to maximize, monitor, evaluate and benchmark the progress of the category business plans and financial performance. Use consumer research to identify new Foodservice platforms needed to drive the long-range plan.Responsible for overall GP per unit, managing COGS and setting of retail strategies.Maintain primary responsibility to meet or exceed Foodservice budgetary goals.Assume primary responsibility for the Foodservice brand through partnership with the Marketing Services Team. Lead the discussion with internal and external advertising partners in developing the positioning of key Marketing brands. Participate in all creative development and reviews, photo, radio, TV, POP and OOH.Partner with Finance on utilizing APT for business case analysis. Work with Finance and IT departments to track, analyze and report on performance and impact of branded marketing programs, utilizing component and location level driven data.  Report out on category and campaign performance through business review meetings.Collaborate with Implementation Team to ensure successful launch of new marketing initiatives.Partner with the Enterprise Productivity and Foodservice Effectiveness Teams on cost management and process improvement resulting in reduced complexity at store level.Partner with Store Operations on new Marketing initiatives. Utilize Store Operations feedback to enhance and streamline FS programs.Partner with Marketing Services to conduct consumer research needed to identify emerging trends.Develop and maintain vendor relationships ensuring that vendors are providing maximum value to the category and the company. Provide overall direction and support for team and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence.  Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate and participate in hiring decisions.

Attributes:

Communicates effectively both orally and in writingAnalyzes information and effectively propose solutionsHighly developed consultative, facilitation, project management and presentation skillsHigh degree of professionalism and confidentialityHandle multiple priorities simultaneouslyCapable of working independentlyStrong negotiation skillsWorks collaboratively with cross-functional teamsEstablishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity and teamwork

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred, Master’s Degree a plus7-10 years of category management experienceExperience working in a matrix organizationExperience with direct P&L responsibilityPurchasing experienceExperience managing work groupsExperience in project management and coordinating amongst several work teamsProficient in Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel skills

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at asc@wawa.com or 1-800-444-9292.

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.