Category Strategy Manager I
Kroger Great Lakes Distribution Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Act as the hub for all Our Brands business matters for the respective category. Efficiently lead cross-functional teams through business plans, product development and category acceleration deep dives to deliver results. Communicate our private label vision, goals, and budget, as well as how they align with overall category merchandiser strategies and the customer first promise. Exhibit category expertise in business financials, category insights and the retail marketplace. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.
Responsibilities
Provide private label category financial performance insights and summary for executive review
Deliver category acceleration deep dives, leading stage gate presentations and action plan share out
Follow the Our Brands new product development process ensuring cross-functional team members are briefed with project rationale, attributes, financials and detailed timing prior to commercialization work.
Prepare packaging design briefs for new product development; share out proposed designs for leadership and merchandising alignment
Drive growth by applying knowledge of competitive set, consumer trends and business needs
Partner with merchandising to build long and short-term strategic plans to drive category growth and profitability
Articulate respective business plans, OB's category role(s) and new product development plans to senior leadership
Lead the commercialization of projects as identified in business plans
Provide guidance on vendor selection, product segmentation, and sales planning
Provide input to other OB functional teams, such as innovation and branding, to ensure respective plans support business needs
Remain current with food, cultural and ethnic, category and product trends
Actively participate in the sensory phase of product development and approve reformulations, packaging, sourcing, and specification changes
Monitor and optimize retail execution, conduct post-launch analysis against OB initiatives and make recommendations
Travel to divisions and store locations to support OB initiatives
Follow established programs, policies, practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree business, marketing, comparable work experience
2+ years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods, sales or innovation
Excellent leadership/collaboration skills
Ability to set priorities, delegate effectively/communicate responsibilities, and manage execution across a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to manage complex and/or large portfolio of categories with some supervision
Highly motivated and self-directed
Ability to function in a fast-paced, retail/office environment
Proven ability to communicate to all levels of the organization via written and oral communication and presentations
Strong business analytical skills in sales, volume and profit forecasts
Proven ability to make critical decisions
Demonstrate initiative and willingness to take risks
Desired Qualifications
Master's Degree
Any demonstrated success in project management
Any familiarity with manufacturing operations and profit and loss
Any product development experience
Any experience in the orchestration of commercialization plans for new product development pipelines
Job Info
Job Identification 174465
Job Category Category Management/Merchandising
Posting Date 02/27/2026, 05:28 PM
Locations 1014 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, US (On-site)
Benefits
A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
About the Company From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Provide private label category financial performance insights and summary for executive review
Deliver category acceleration deep dives, leading stage gate presentations and action plan share out
Follow the Our Brands new product development process ensuring cross-functional team members are briefed with project rationale, attributes, financials and detailed timing prior to commercialization work.
Prepare packaging design briefs for new product development; share out proposed designs for leadership and merchandising alignment
Drive growth by applying knowledge of competitive set, consumer trends and business needs
Partner with merchandising to build long and short-term strategic plans to drive category growth and profitability
Articulate respective business plans, OB's category role(s) and new product development plans to senior leadership
Lead the commercialization of projects as identified in business plans
Provide guidance on vendor selection, product segmentation, and sales planning
Provide input to other OB functional teams, such as innovation and branding, to ensure respective plans support business needs
Remain current with food, cultural and ethnic, category and product trends
Actively participate in the sensory phase of product development and approve reformulations, packaging, sourcing, and specification changes
Monitor and optimize retail execution, conduct post-launch analysis against OB initiatives and make recommendations
Travel to divisions and store locations to support OB initiatives
Follow established programs, policies, practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree business, marketing, comparable work experience
2+ years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods, sales or innovation
Excellent leadership/collaboration skills
Ability to set priorities, delegate effectively/communicate responsibilities, and manage execution across a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to manage complex and/or large portfolio of categories with some supervision
Highly motivated and self-directed
Ability to function in a fast-paced, retail/office environment
Proven ability to communicate to all levels of the organization via written and oral communication and presentations
Strong business analytical skills in sales, volume and profit forecasts
Proven ability to make critical decisions
Demonstrate initiative and willingness to take risks
Desired Qualifications
Master's Degree
Any demonstrated success in project management
Any familiarity with manufacturing operations and profit and loss
Any product development experience
Any experience in the orchestration of commercialization plans for new product development pipelines
Job Info
Job Identification 174465
Job Category Category Management/Merchandising
Posting Date 02/27/2026, 05:28 PM
Locations 1014 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, US (On-site)
Benefits
A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
About the Company From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!
#J-18808-Ljbffr