Category Management Director, Bottled Beverages
RaceTrac Company Overview
Job Description:
The Category Management Director, Bottled Beverages is responsible for driving strategic growth, profitability, and operational discipline for one of RaceTrac’s most important categories. This is a builder role—leading a developing team while establishing the strategy, structure, and capabilities needed to scale the business.
You will partner closely with executive leadership to define long‑term direction while ensuring strong day‑to‑day execution.
Beverage experience is a plus, but not a substitute for proven strategic leadership, team-building, and category ownership.
This role is based onsite in Atlanta, GA (Store Support Center) with up to 20% travel.
What You’ll Do
Leadership & Team Development
- Serve as the leader and voice of Bottled Beverages Category Management
- Build, develop, and coach a growing team—creating structure, clarity, and capability
- Foster a culture of accountability, feedback, and growth
- Lead through change and evolving business needs
Category Strategy & Financial Ownership
- Define and execute the category strategy to drive growth and profitability
- Own full P&L accountability (pricing, margin, promotions, performance)
- Translate strategy into clear priorities and actionable plans
- Balance short-term performance with long-term category health
Negotiation & Vendor/Wholesaler Management
- Lead complex negotiations with suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors
- Build strategic partnerships that unlock growth and competitive advantage
- Navigate a multi-state, DSD environment effectively
Cross‑Functional Alignment
- Partner across functions to ensure alignment and execution of category strategy
- Communicate priorities clearly and connect strategy to in-store impact
- Build strong relationships to drive enterprise-wide alignment
Analytics, Tools & Process Improvement
- Use data and insights to drive decision-making and performance
- Establish the tools, processes, and operating rhythms needed to scale
- Simplify and improve processes to support both Guests and Associates
Responsibilities:
- Serves as the point of contact and voice of the Category Management department for planning and operations.
- Develops, coaches, and trains the current assigned Category Management team. Focuses on sharing knowledge and providing the tools necessary to increase department growth and exposure. Encourages continuous two-way feedback from all team members.
- Partners cross functionally with all members of the Category Management team to align strategic direction in order to execute consistent planning and analytical goals.
- Drives profitability and growth within assigned categories by implementing aggressive negotiation tactics, industry leading programs and competitive promotions to drive category sales.
- Ensures all contract negotiation strategies are in line with the best interest of RaceTrac.
- Assesses category offerings, develops and communicates strategies, and prioritizes the category team’s tactical work.
- Creates, plans, and executes appropriate financial and guest service goals for the assigned teams.
- Communicates strategies and gains alignment across departments impacted by category programs.
- Directs the development of analytical tools to manage product mix, cost, retails, and to determine promotional strategies.
- Strengthens key vendor relationships to maximize RaceTrac’s position in the marketplace.
- Approves, prioritizes, and monitors all category expenditures.
- Develops and maintains key business relationships with cross functional departments on a regular basis to ensure strategic alignment.
- Drives process improvement strategies that increase efficiencies and simplify our Guests’ and Associates’ lives.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or similar
- Proven team leadership experience (building and developing talent)
- Demonstrated P&L ownership and strong financial acumen
- Experience negotiating with external partners
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment and build where structure is limited
Preferred Qualifications
- Beverage or DSD experience
- Retail or convenience experience
- Strong communication and influence skills
What Success Looks Like
- Brings strategic clarity and structure to the category
- Builds a capable, accountable, and high-performing team
- Delivers measurable improvements in growth and profitability
- Strengthens supplier partnerships and execution discipline
- Establishes a scalable foundation for long-term category success
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with RaceTrac without regard to their race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.