Assistant Category Manager

Assistant Category Manager

Grow your career with us here at Mustard Seed!

At Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, we believe what you put in and on your body matters. That's why everything on our shelves is made with real, natural ingredients, without the artificial additives. We're committed to ingredient transparency so you can make informed choices for yourself and your family. It's all part of our mission since 1981 to support a healthier lifestyle, every step of the way.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic, detail-oriented, and collaborative Assistant Category Manager to support our Category Manager in driving performance across multiple product categoriesincluding grocery, dairy, frozen, supplements, and health & beauty. This role blends data analysis, supplier collaboration, merchandising, and administrative support to help shape our success in the competitive all-natural retail market. You'll work cross-functionally with marketing, store teams, and vendors, and occasionally travel to meet top professionals in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Data Analysis & Reporting

Collect and analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior.

Prepare reports on category performance and identify areas for improvement.

Support data-driven strategies for assortment, pricing, and promotions.

Assortment Optimization

Assist in managing product mix across departments based on performance and trends.

Conduct product and supplier reviews to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.

Collaborate on resets and merchandising improvements in-store.

Pricing & Promotion Support

Help implement pricing strategies and promotional plans.

Monitor competitor pricing and promotional activity.

Analyze promotion effectiveness and recommend improvements.

Supplier Collaboration

Support vendor relationships and assist in contract negotiations.

Coordinate new product launches and promotional funding opportunities.

Aggregate promotional deals for replenishment buyers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work with marketing, store directors, team leaders, brokers, and vendors.

Assist in creating promotional brochures and signage.

Serve as the in-store point of contact for merchandising and resets.

Administrative & Executive Support

Manage calls, emails, and vendor / customer inquiries.

Book travel, coordinate meetings, and handle scheduling.

Perform ad hoc tasks and light bookkeeping.

Maintain accurate records and assist in SOP creation.

Other duties as assigned

Why Join Us?

Be part of a mission-driven company in the natural products space.

Work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams.

Travel and network with top professionals in the industry.

Help usher our retail operations into the digital age.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field is preferred.

29 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or procurement preferred.

Skills & Qualifications

Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook & Word.

Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Detail-oriented with strong time management and multitasking skills.

Strategic thinker with creative problem-solving abilities.

Solid understanding of retail, marketing, and sales principles.

Comfortable assisting in system creation and process improvement.

Knowledge of industry trends in store categories.