CATEGORY MANAGER – PRODUCE – CORPORATE

Location Type: On-site

Industry:

Company: UWAJIMAYA INC

Job Details

Job Location
Corporate Headquarters – Seattle, WA

Position Type
Full Time

Salary Range
$32.56 – $47.21 Hourly

Job Shift
Morning

Description

About Us: Uwajimaya, a family-owned business, and a cornerstone of Asian grocery retailing since 1928, is seeking dedicated individuals to join our dynamic team. With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences, Uwajimaya has grown to become the premier destination for Asian food culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Who We’re Looking For: We are seeking individuals who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, driven to excel in their roles, and motivated to contribute to our vibrant team. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or eager to start your career, we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who share our enthusiasm for food, customer service, and Asian culture.

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:

• Functional/Technical Skills: You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.
• Customer Focus: You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.
• Action Oriented: You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.
• Peer Relationships: You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.
• Self-Development: You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.

We offer:

• A flexible, friendly, and diverse work environment
• Competitive starting wages
• Employee discounts on food and gift items
• Paid holidays from day one
• Excellent health benefits
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Long term disability
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• Supplemental insurance options available

Position Summary:

As Produce Category Manager at Uwajimaya, you will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to drive sales, profitability, and market share across produce categories. You will collaborate with stores and suppliers, analyze market trends, and lead cross-functional teams to optimize the product assortment and merchandising strategies. This role requires a thorough understanding of produce store operations and procurement, as well as a deep understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian food. Candidates should have strong interpersonal communication skills.

Position’s Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business objectives. Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights. Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions to drive sales and profitability. Analyze sales performance and customer feedback to make data-driven decisions.
• Work with store produce managers and Director of Retail Operations to create merchandising guidelines to execute and align across stores. Build and develop pricing and promotion strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors. Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to ensure favorable pricing and supply chain efficiency.
• Work closely with corporate marketing and merchandising teams to execute category plans. Coordinate with store operations to ensure effective in-store execution and presentation.
• Monitor and report on category performance metrics, including sales, margins, and inventory turnover. Develop and implement action plans to address underperforming areas.
• Conduct consumer research and gather insights to understand shopping behaviors and preferences. Leverage insights to influence category strategy and drive customer satisfaction.
• Other duties as assigned.

Salary Range from $67,725 to $98,201 annually.

Starting at $67,725 annually + Bonus Opportunities, Depending on Experience.

Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your application

IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 322.73 KB)

E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, 259.92 KB)

Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in business or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in retail merchandising or purchasing, preferably within the grocery industry.
• 2+ years experience working in retail store, preferably in produce.
• Thorough understanding of Japanese and Pan Asian cuisine, especially as it pertains to the produce categories.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
• Experience in negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and Power Point.
• Language proficiency in Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, or Korean is a plus, but not required.
• Full-time office position based in Seattle, Washington.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites, trade shows, or store locations in Washington and Oregon may be required.
• Hybrid work model with four days in the office and one day per week work from home.