Lead the Category Strategy Management (CSM) team, driving innovation and new item development across the entire Our Brands assortment portfolio. Create an overarching strategy across all categories to support short and long-term new item development, product reformulations and line extensions. Partner with other leaders on cross functional teams during the new item development process to ensure alignment on the overall strategy and to ensure growth goals are supported throughout the process. Shape food knowledge of local, regional and global trends, flavor profiles and ingredients across the Our Brands portfolio that will drive first to market production on distinctive new items. Build and maintain internal and external resources and partnerships to deliver exceptional results.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Oversee the CSM team throughout the product development process from concept to shelf
• Leverage market data and consumer research to create solutions for unrecognized consumer trends, translating them into concepts, projects and distinctive products for the CSMs
• Partner with CSMs to help prioritize unplanned projects from merchandising and suppliers
• Ensure all OB Supplier Vendor Agreements, OB Addendums and any custom agreements to secure a competitive advantage position for Sprouts Farmers Market are maintained and executed
• Partner with merchandising to define the role of OB within each category
• Lead the design of the annual OB business planning process for the CSM team in collaboration with cross-functional team members. Align key stakeholders including: OB leadership, merchandising leadership and suppliers, among others
• Partner with other OB leaders of Brand and Packaging to ensure ongoing communication on project progress including any potential barriers to commercialization
• Ensure firm understanding of sales and margin results and KPI goals/metrics across all categories to share performance to OB leadership on an ongoing basis
• Provide guidance on vendor selection, product segmentation and sales planning when necessary
• Drive the consistency of product quality within the brand promise by being the lead of the CSM team who are active participants in the sensory phases of product development, approving reformulations, packaging, sourcing and specification changes
• Follow established programs and SOPs to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Drive all OB category strategies to ensure Sprouts is on the cutting edge of the industry

Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor Degree with a minimum of ten (10) years of related experience
• Experience in merchandising and management preferred
• Relevant experience in product development or merchandising with product knowledge
• Preferred previous manager of a team
• Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines
• Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins
• Thorough understanding Microsoft Office suite
• Some travel required

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

• Competitive pay
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:

• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental vision
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Company paid life insurance and short-term disability coverage

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Why Sprouts

Grow with us!

If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting. Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.