Love's Travel Stops · 2 hours ago
Category Manager (Merchant)
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expLove's Travel Stops is a family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City, dedicated to fueling customers' journeys since 1964. The Category Manager (Merchant) is responsible for leading product selection and purchasing, analyzing market trends, and managing inventory to ensure optimal stock levels and profitability.
Responsibilities
Oversee assigned categories within the Merchandise Department
Full ownership to develop, plan, and implement multi-year strategic plans for given categories
Leverage data and resources to make informed product-level and category-level decisions. Regularly review data to measure impacts of implemented strategies
Deploy tests (product, fixture, vendor, distribution, etc.) and measure success metrics
Strategize, manage, support private brand consumable products. Work with Brand Managers to develop strategies for assortment, price, and promotion
Own the 4 P’s of Marketing for given categories (product, place, price, promotion)
Develop & improve a set review process/Joint Business Planning Process (JBP)/LAB (yearly planning) for the merchandising department
Responsible for providing year-over-year growth and for exceeding budget and P&L goals
Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional team leaders. Partner with marketing, support, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies and campaigns
Evaluate and select vendors based on performance metrics, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness. Own relationships of higher volume vendors, keeping the Supervisor/Manager informed of recent developments, challenges, support needed
Prepare reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and recommendations
Manage, train, and develop Merchandise Planners
Qualification
Required
HS Diploma or equivalent required
3-5 years of category management experience in a retail setting
Experience managing vendor relations, 3rd party suppliers and distributors, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) required
Hard skills: Knowledgeable and proficient within Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint etc), Data Tools
Soft Skills: Stable work history, good written and verbal communications skills, team player, attention to detail, self-motivated and responsible, ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment and strong analytical skills
Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping
Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, merchandising, fashion merchandising or a related field is preferred
Personnel supervision preferred
Accounts Receivable/Rebate. SAP, back office systems, and C-Store experience a plus
Product and brand development experience ideal
Benefits
Company funded tuition assistance
Paid Time Off
401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance after 30 days
Competitive Pay
Career Development
Company
Love's Travel Stops
Founded in 1964 by Tom Love, Love’s Family of Companies is headquartered in Oklahoma City, and remains entirely family-owned and operated.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Brianna Hubbard, SHRM-CP
HR Business Partner
Derek Rusinek
Field Employee Relations Partner
Company data provided by crunchbase