Associate Category Manager

Associate Category Manager

Corporate Office: 5000 Kansas Avenue Kansas City, KS – 

Work Model: Hybrid Schedule Available

Department: Grocery Category Sales Team

The Associate Category Manager is a developmental role within the Category Management team. This role is responsible for profitable sales growth of assigned category(s). They will collaborate with others across the AWG organization as well as supplier partners to achieve shared objectives. The Associate 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 Associate Category Manager will develop skills to ensure that programs are on trend while receiving the best cost of goods while driving profitable sales growth for AWG and our Members. 

Description of Work:

• Learn how to create and implement category initiatives and strategies. 

• Learn how to develop sales growth programs that allow market flexibility within assigned categories.

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

• Manage and/or assist in category reviews to maximize category assortment and setting category strategies.

• Assist with the management of 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.

• Assist with creating joint business plans and conducting quarterly business reviews.

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

• Responsible for overseeing input of file maintenance is done timely and accurately.

• 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.

•   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 3,500 locations throughout 33 states from 9 wholesale division support centers. Consolidated sales for AWG in 2025 were $12.2 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 Christmas Bonus