Principal Category Program Manager

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead the strategic direction and evolution of Promotion Planning Tools, serving as the key business owner representing diverse stakeholders including Merchants, Marketers, Data Operators, and support roles.
• Drive the transformation and optimization of WFM's promotional planning processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and market trends.
• Develop a deep understanding of complex business requirements to champion 'Go to Market' Promotions planning, translating stakeholder needs into actionable strategies.
• Lead and execute a robust prioritization framework for tool enhancements, feature developments, and critical data needs, ensuring a customer-first approach in go-to-market strategy activation.
• Cultivate and maintain high-level partnerships with project sponsors, effectively managing expectations and fostering clear communication channels with all stakeholders.
• Strategically build and nurture vital business relationships across the organization to drive project success and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proactively identify, escalate, and resolve significant, complex, business-critical, or sensitive issues, demonstrating strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Exemplify thought leadership by driving meaningful organizational change through strategic partnerships, effective program review meetings, and establishing standardized approaches to prioritization and system requirements.
• Orchestrate the successful integration of merchandising and marketing enhancements, ensuring seamless alignment with overall business objectives.
• Leverage data-driven insights and industry best practices to continuously improve promotional planning tools and processes, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required and +6 years of experience OR MS degree and +4 years of experience.
• Relevant retail experience in merchandising, operations, data and/or marketing, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• General knowledge and experience with marketing, merchandising, and operations, specifically around promotions in retail.
• Exemplary leadership skills, demonstrating the ability to lead through influence and foster trust across all levels and functions.
• Strategic vision to oversee and optimize a highly visible, critical retail function and understand its impact on overall business objectives.
• Previous experience in the retail merchandising space with exposure to promotional planning activities.
• Technical aptitude with promotional planning tools and technologies, capable of understanding and communicating technical requirements.
• Advanced communication skills to articulate complex ideas clearly and coordinate effectively across teams.
• Results-driven mindset with a sense of urgency and a bias for action.
• Proactive problem-solving skills, resilience, and curiosity to address issues and seek innovative solutions.
• Self-motivation with initiative and self-direction to identify opportunities and contribute to business success.
• Change management proficiency to lead organizational transitions and implement new processes and tools.
• Passion and energy to inspire teams and foster a positive work environment.
• Industry knowledge of retail trends, especially in the natural and organic foods sector.

Nice to Have

• Experience with industry best practices in promotional planning and retail operations.
• Familiarity with data-driven decision-making and analytics tools.

Qualifications

• Educational qualifications include a BA/BS degree with 6+ years of experience or an MS degree with 4+ years of experience.

Benefits & Perks

• Whole Benefits, which may include health insurance, retirement plan benefits, store discounts, paid time off, and other programs.
• Salary range of $100,244.00-$170,415.00 annually, commensurate with experience.