Assistant Category Manager

Benefits: * Fuel Your Growth with Love's - company funded tuition assistance * Paid Time Off * 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5% * Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance the first of the month after 30 days * Competitive Pay *

Welcome to Love's: The Assistant Category Manager is responsible for supporting and executing merchandising strategies across assigned product categories within a fast-paced convenience store environment. The Merchandising Planner ensures product offerings are optimized to meet customer needs, drive sales, and maintain profitability. Working closely with field merchandising, marketing, replenishment, analytics, purchasing, and space planning teams. The Merchandising Planner helps develop and implement tactical plans that align with business objectives. The Merchandising Planner also coordinates with external partners to maintain product assortment, execute resets, and track performance.

Job Functions:

Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day category management activities, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure execution of merchandising strategies

Coordinate new product introductions and execute item and planogram maintenance

Facilitate vendor meetings and promotional planning

Oversee rebate management to optimize category performance

Participate in weekly collaboration calls with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of strategies

Lead weekly and monthly business reviews, providing insights into category performance and recommending adjustments as needed

Support the execution of special projects, including store task creation and other category-specific initiatives

Resolve vendor service issues promptly, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with all stakeholders

Collect and analyze data on sales, pricing, margin, and product proposals to support category reviews and decision-making processes

Education and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field preferred

HS Diploma or equivalent required

1-2 years of experience in merchandising, category management, or a related field, ideally within the retail or convenience store industry

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; experience with merchandising or replenishment systems is a plus

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make actionable recommendations

Skills and Typical Physical Demands:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, robust Excel capabilities

Ability to work within a fast-paced environment

Self-motivated

Keen attention to detail

Excellent oral and verbal communication skills

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects and work cross-functionally

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify relevant data sources, interpret data, and make actionable recommendations

Scheduling flexibility and travel availability as role/projects require

Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping

Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator

Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Our Culture:

Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award-winning culture.

Love's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.