About You TheSr. Category Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the performance of product categories within the company. This role involves leveraging customer insights, market trends, and data analysis to develop strategic category plans that align with business goals. The Category Manager will work cross-functionally with key teams—such as marketing, sales, and supply chain—to ensure our product offerings not only meet customer demand but also deliver on revenue and profitability targets.
About Noodles
At Noodles & Company, our mission is to always nourish and inspire every team member, guest and community we serve. We accomplish this by living our values of We Care, We Show Pride, We are Passionate, and We Love Life!
Benefits Careers at Noodles are served with a side of:
Pay range: $102,000 to $125,000 annual salary
Eligible for annual performance bonus up to 17.5%
Flexible paid time off
Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) and stock purchase discounts
Paid maternity and paternity leaves, adoption, and surrogacy benefits
Discounts through our gift card program
Scholarship opportunities through Noodles Foundation
Analyze market data, consumer behavior, and competitor trends to develop and implement category strategies that enhance product offerings, improve sales, and meet company objectives.
Manage the product lifecycle within the assigned category, including product selection, pricing, promotions, and inventory management to optimize performance.
Lead recipe development efforts, crafting compelling stories that highlight product uniqueness and appeal. Collaborate with cross-enterprise teams to advance product concepts through critical checkpoints, ensuring alignment across departments.
Propose and present recommended solutions to business problems to the executive and leadership teams, including the board of directors.
Work closely with internal teams such as merchandising, marketing, and supply chain to ensure alignment on category strategies and execution plans.
Develop competitive pricing strategies and promotional plans based on thorough market analysis while maintaining profitability.
Utilize customer data and insights to customize product assortments and make informed decisions about category performance and potential improvements.
Oversee the category's budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness, tracking expenses, and identifying opportunities for cost savings and margin improvements.
Lead category-specific initiatives and projects, managing timelines, resources, and milestones to drive successful outcomes.
Work with vendors and suppliers to negotiate terms, select products, and ensure quality and pricing align with category goals.
What You Bring to the Team
7+ years of relevant work experience in category management, product assortment planning, or similar roles, ideally within foodservice or related industries.
Budget management experience, with a strong track record of achieving cost savings and margin enhancements.
Strong analytical skills, capable of interpreting complex market data and consumer insights.
Experience with digital product management systems and recipe or inventory management platforms.
Demonstrated ability to craft and implement effective pricing strategies and lead margin recovery initiatives.
Knowledge of customer behavior and market dynamics in retail or foodservice environments.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and customer insights.
Excellent project management skills, with experience overseeing large-scale category initiatives.
Cross-functional collaboration experience, working with diverse teams to drive results.
Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence decisions and lead projects.
This is a hybrid role with 2-3 days per week in our Support Office in Broomfield, Colorado. We’re seeking candidates who either reside locally or are open to relocating.
Application Deadline: We will be accepting applications for this position until 11/16/2024. Interested candidates must submit their applications before the deadline to be considered for this opportunity. We appreciate your continued interest.
Noodles is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Military Friendly - Veterans & Spouses are encouraged to apply. We are proud to be recognized on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity and Forbes' Best Employers for Women lists and are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where Noodlers can bring their full self to work.
