Category Manager at Associated Wholesale Grocers – Kansas City, Kansas

Category Manager
Kansas City, KS, United States

Category Manager

AWG Support Center: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS – Hybrid Schedule Available

Department: Category Management

Position Summary:

The Category Manager is responsible for the profitable sales growth of assigned category(s) for AWG and our Members. They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization and supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Category Manager has made all item level decisions within their respective category(s) to include but not limited to proper product mix, costing, promotional plans, shelf placement, efficient and profitable procurement and item derived income to achieve category initiatives. The Category Manager must ensure that the programs are in trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position can manage one or more Category Assistant(s).

Description of Work:

• Develop and implement key category initiatives and strategies.

• Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.

• Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility.

• Develop and manage the AWG Brands assortment including product development to drive category sales and achieve targeted profitability.

• Manage vendor funding to maximize sales and profitability.

• Conduct regular category reviews to maximize category assortment and set category strategies.

• Responsible for managing event schedules and promotions.

• Responsible for overseeing input of all file maintenance is timely and accurate.

• Responsible for all vendor programs, allowances, performance funds, incentive funds, marketing funds, direct plant ship options, and maintaining efficiency incentives to gain a competitive advantage in our markets.

• Communicates and interacts with all cross functional departments (eg. Inventory Management, Center Store, Accounting, AWG Brands, and divisional sales teams.)

• Work with Corporate Promotions Planner and Sales Coordinators in each division to implement sales programs, communicating categories and consumer trends.

• Visit key markets regularly to stay informed of competitiveness and market trends.

• Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.

Qualifications:

• Any combination of education, training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• College degree preferred.

• Minimum 3 years’ Consumer Products Goods or related industry experience.

• Working knowledge of sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, retail/wholesale/warehouse operations, category business planning, marketing, consumer research, and financial management.

• Minimal travel required: primary travel is to AWG members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.

• Intermediate knowledge of business applications (eg. Microsoft Office and G Suites).

Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,400 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale divisions. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2024 exceeded $12.0 billion. In addition to its cooperative wholesale operations, the company also operates subsidiary companies that provide certain real estate and supermarket development services, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit AWGinc.com.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time

• 401(k) with 4% match along with 3 other contributions

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Basic & Supplemental Life and AD&D

• Employee Assistance Program

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• Wellness Program

• Yearly Holiday Bonus

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  5000 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 66106, US

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Job Identification 1744

Job Category Non Union

Posting Date 12/17/2025, 09:20 PM

Job Schedule Full time

Locations 5000 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, KS, 66106, US