Job Description

General Description:

The Category Manager – Tobacco is responsible for leading product selection, pricing, promotional strategy, and vendor partnerships across the tobacco category. This role manages the full lifecycle of category performance by analyzing market trends, negotiating supplier contracts, and developing strategies to drive sales, profitability, and customer engagement while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead decision-making on supplier contracts, program participation, pricing strategy, and new product introductions.
2. Negotiate and manage vendor relationships to secure optimal terms, margins, and promotional opportunities.
3. Develop and implement category strategies, including assortment planning, merchandising, promotional calendars, and pricing initiatives.
4. Track and analyze sales, margin, and market share performance within the tobacco category to meet or exceed financial goals.
5. Monitor competitive landscape and consumer trends to identify growth opportunities and risks.
6. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, operations, compliance, and finance) to execute category initiatives.
7. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding tobacco products.
8. Support long-term category health by balancing immediate financial objectives with sustainable growth strategies.
9. Create reporting and dashboards to track key metrics and communicate performance to leadership.
10. Stay informed of innovations in tobacco products, retail merchandising, and customer engagement to enhance category relevance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or procurement; prior experience in tobacco, CPG, or retail preferred.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and financial modeling skills.
• Proven track record of meeting sales and margin goals through strategic category planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools, reporting platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Deep understanding of tobacco industry trends, products, and regulatory environment a strong plus.

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