Sr Manager - Category

Category Management Leader

We are seeking an experienced Category Management Leader to oversee a large, multi-category retail portfolio across a nationwide store network. This position will lead overall category strategy, financial performance, supplier relationships, and the development of a high-performing merchandising team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and performance across multiple grocery and general merchandise categories, including snacks, candy, meat snacks, cookies/crackers, nutrition, health and beauty, pastry, ice cream, shelf-stable food, and non-food categories.
• Own category P&L, budgeting, forecasting, inventory investment, sales, gross profit, and overall profitability.
• Develop and execute annual and long-term category plans focused on pricing, promotions, assortment, inventory optimization, and growth opportunities.
• Lead, coach, and develop category management professionals through goal setting, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
• Manage strategic relationships with a large network of suppliers and distributors, including negotiations around category initiatives, product assortment, space allocation, promotions, and growth opportunities.
• Partner with major consumer packaged goods organizations to identify opportunities and improve category performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Loyalty, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Supply Chain to execute merchandising initiatives.
• Monitor category performance and market trends to identify opportunities to improve sales, profitability, inventory productivity, and market share.
• Lead the resolution of complex merchandising and operational challenges while ensuring category strategies are successfully executed across the store network.
• Ensure accurate management of promotional funding and compliance with applicable business and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required.
• 8+ years of experience within grocery, convenience retail, or a closely related retail/CPG industry.
• Significant experience in category management, merchandising, retail buying, or related commercial leadership.
• Proven experience managing a large, complex P&L and multi-category portfolio.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, pricing, promotional strategy, assortment planning, and inventory management.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing professional teams.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive category and merchandising decisions.
• Ability to influence and partner with internal stakeholders, suppliers, distributors, and external business partners.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience working within a large national or multi-location retail organization preferred.

Location & Relocation

• This position is ultimately expected to be 100% onsite in Knoxville, TN.
• Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
• Candidates relocating to the Knoxville area may have remote work capabilities for up to 6 months while completing their relocation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Knoxville, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $175000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Knoxville, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Knoxville,TN.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.