Category Manager I Asian Segment

Purpose Strategically manages ethnic category of Asian to increase sales, gross dollars, and market share versus prior year and to meet or exceed projected numbers. Creates and implements pricing, promotion, assortment and shelf planograms for each assigned category, based on detailed analysis of past performance and results, industry best practices, and consumer trends. This level is considered a fully experienced level. Incumbents are able to independently handle complex issues effecting assigned complex categories and create innovative solutions. Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities Creates yearly category business plans by ethnicity based on detailed analysis of previous results and market trends. Meets or exceeds projected sales and profit contribution. Creates detailed pricing strategy by zone by category and maintains approach throughout the year. Creates and implements a promotional calendar by ethnicity, which supports overall merchandising strategy. Tracks results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit and share. Design schematics and recommend ethnic adjacencies that support the role of the category. Determines the appropriate product assortment based on the specific ethnic strategy. Authorizes new items entering the market and discontinues lines based on potential contribution to the category and department. Determines optimal balance of ethnic vs core assortment to both resonate with ethnic customers while driving operational efficiencies. Maintains weekly, quarterly and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars and share of each category. Measures total contribution to the entire department. Determines ethnic products contribution to the total base assortment. Manages and maximizes ethnic categories to achieve most efficient use of vendors dollars. Creates sales and gross profit projections, by ethnicity, rolling up to department and division projections quarterly and yearly. Conducts in depth post promotional analysis at the item and ethnicity. Plans ads and displays in support of the category plans and total department initiatives. Coordinates and communicates between stores, merchandising and other departments in designated ethnic stores. Acts as primary contact within division for all vendors in ethnic categories assigned. Meets with vendors on a consistent basis for deal negotiation and business updates. Works closely with procurement function. Communicates ethnic category and promotional plans to ensure desired service levels and optimum inventory position achieved. Coordinates ethnic promotional plans (ads and displays), and merchandising messages within department as assigned by management. Attends key vendor planning meetings. Works in conjunction with others in merchandising and across the division to facilitate implementation of programs. Visits stores as necessary to observe results of ethnic merchandising programs. Direct supervision of applicable office support staff. Dotted line ethnic guidance to Category Directors and Buyers. Relevant Experience, Education, Certification, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Bachelors degree preferred. Relevant work experience required. Multilingual preferred. Previous store operations experience or similar experience where a strong understanding of operations and merchandising approaches has been gained. Financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and ethnic consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results. categories managed are effected. Possesses previous ethnic category management experience. Ability to read and interpret profit and loss statement and understand how the ethnic categories managed are effected. Possesses previous ethnic category management experience. Possess strong analytical and problems solving skills and be experienced in taking initiative and making decisive yet appropriate decisions