Category Manager - Produce
Associated Wholesale Grocers
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Kansas City, KS
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Mid-Senior level
Posted April 17, 2026
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Responsibilities
Commitments
Responsibilities
- The Category Manager owns 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 on trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.
- Develop and implement category initiatives and strategies to maximize category assortments.
- Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.
- Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility within assigned categories.
- Manage 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.
- Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.
- Responsible for managing and negotiating promotions.
- Communicate and interact with cross functional departments
- Work with division teams to implement sales programs, communicating categories and consumer trends.
Commitments
Minimal travel required: primary travel is to AWG/VMC members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.
Consolidated sales for AWG in 2024 were $12.1 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.
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What still needs stronger evidence
Requirements
- 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/VMC members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.
- Intermediate knowledge of business applications (e.g.
- Microsoft Office and G Suites).
Preferred Skills
- Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
- Intermediate knowledge of business applications (e.g.
- Microsoft Office and G Suites).
Education
- (Not required) – College degree preferred.
Job Description
Category Manager – Produce
Location: AWG Support Center - 5000 Kansas Ave
Department: Produce
The Category Manager is responsible for profitable sales growth of assigned Produce category(s) for AWG and our Members. They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization as well as supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Category Manager owns 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 on trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.
Description Of Work
Develop and implement category initiatives and strategies to maximize category assortments.
Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.
Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility within assigned categories.
Manage 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.
Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.
Responsible for managing and negotiating promotions.
Communicate and interact with cross functional departments
Work with division teams to implement sales programs, communicating categories and consumer trends.
Qualifications
Any combination of education, training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
College degree preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish) 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/VMC members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.
Intermediate knowledge of business applications (e.g. 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 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2024 were $12.1 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
Category Manager – Produce
Location: AWG Support Center - 5000 Kansas Ave
Department: Produce
The Category Manager is responsible for profitable sales growth of assigned Produce category(s) for AWG and our Members. They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization as well as supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Category Manager owns 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 on trend with the industry, focused on delivering the highest quality products and fully supported while receiving the best cost of goods.
Description Of Work
Develop and implement category initiatives and strategies to maximize category assortments.
Develop and maintain complete product and category knowledge.
Develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility within assigned categories.
Manage 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.
Create joint business plans and conduct quarterly business reviews.
Responsible for managing and negotiating promotions.
Communicate and interact with cross functional departments
Work with division teams to implement sales programs, communicating categories and consumer trends.
Qualifications
Any combination of education, training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
College degree preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish) 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/VMC members’ retail locations and distribution centers, vendor partner locations and trade-related events and shows.
Intermediate knowledge of business applications (e.g. 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 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2024 were $12.1 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