Lead Director - Category Manager in General Merchandising

At CVS Health, we’re building a world of health around every consumer and surrounding ourselves with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about transforming health care.

As the nation’s leading health solutions company, we reach millions of Americans through our local presence, digital channels and more than 300,000 purpose-driven colleagues – caring for people where, when and how they choose in a way that is uniquely more connected, more convenient and more compassionate. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.

Position Summary

Currently seeking a Lead Director - Category Manager in Front Store Merchandising to fill a position on the General Merchandising team. The ideal candidate will possess 10+ years of experience in a CPG manufacturing company, retail organization, or in an analytical, merchandising, or buying position. This individual will manage the total photo business focusing on financials, future planning, products, equipment and the colleague and customer experience. They will also lead cross functional teams and work with outside vendors and partners to identify opportunities to drive business outcomes and ensure customer needs are met. This is a high-visibility role with opportunities to work with and influence upper leadership.

Responsibilities of the Category Manager:
• Contribute directly to sales and margin goals.

• Maintain awareness and full command of the P&L and category trends across sales, margin and service metrics to identify headwinds and drive opportunities for growth.
• Build category strategies for merchandising programs from 1 to 5 years that reflect deep personal knowledge of our businesses, customers and clients.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to collaborate on new items, new item training, and software testing.
• Drive tactical execution of day-to-day plan activities (i.e. store operations, equipment uptime, inventory, promotions and take corrective action if necessary).
• Collaborate with an internal team of CVS professionals in Pricing, Promotion, Marketing, Inventory, Visual Merchandising, and Finance
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of current competition. Search out new competitive opportunities and make recommendations.

Manage multiple projects and complex systems integrations from a business lens
• Keep abreast of changes in the market. Research customer product preferences, supplier prices and the competitive environment.
• Always looking for new white space opportunities.
• Become an expert in all internal tools and reporting databases
• Ability to jump in, flex when needed and have impact
 

Core Competencies:
• Strong critical thinking abilities. Able to understand complex systems and processes.

• Takes initiative, addressing opportunities and problems head on.

• Thinks and Acts Strategically. Anticipates business opportunities and challenges.
• Drives speed and innovation. Challenges self and the organization to seek and promote leading edge solutions, create new opportunities, and be the market-maker.
• Growth Mindset - Manages and develops self. Seeks opportunities, guidance, and feedback to develop own knowledge, skills and capability.
• Leads high-performing teams. Works together in a committed way to achieve a common mission.
• Impacts and Influences Others. Skillfully persuades others to support important initiatives, gain alignment with our strategy and goals, and act in the best interests of the company.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a CPG manufacturing company, retail organization, or in an analytical, merchandising, or buying position

• P&L management experience

• Strong working knowledge of retail math concepts and demonstrated application

• Strong leadership and storytelling abilities

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven ability to implement strategies and use negotiation tactics to grow sales
• Technical experience in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Office, Word; some Access or other database knowledge

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in a CPG manufacturing company, retail organization, or in an analytical, merchandising, or buying position

• P&L management experience

• Strong working knowledge of retail math concepts and demonstrated application

• Strong leadership and storytelling abilities

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven ability to implement strategies and use negotiation tactics to grow sales
• Technical experience in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Office, Word; some Access or other database knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master’s degree pre