Director of Category Management and Store Formats

Company Overview:

Shell Mobility & Convenience proudly operates over 200 Timewise convenience stores and Shell gas stations in Texas and New Mexico. Our friendly team provides great customer service while supporting our employees with growth opportunities. Shell Mobility & Convenience is based in Houston, Texas and became part of the Shell Group in 2022. Join our friendly and hard-working Timewise family!

 

Position Summary:

The purpose of the Group Category Director is to lead a team of category managers, ensuring each category aligns with the overall strategy of the business. This role is crucial for delivering the operating plan targets for the Shell/Timewise network of convenience stores in Texas and New Mexico. Main responsibilities include overseeing the development of category strategies and ensuring their effective integration and execution across all stores for the benefit of consumers. The Group Category Manager is essential for driving retail success by optimizing product offerings, enhancing customer satisfaction, and contributing significantly to the business's profitability.

 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of annual category plan for the managed business categories following standards from the Shell Group, Category Management Association (CMA) and National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
• Plan and leads the category management team to execute a cycle of optimization efforts to assortment, pricing, macro and micro space planning and the annual promotional calendar. Ultimate measure of success is for the Shell / Timewise product assortment to grow ahead of competitors in the channel, proven by external metrics from Nielsen and Circana.
• Develop and maintains an effective network of suppliers and partners motivated to support the company’s growth efforts and innovate together for the benefit of the chain’s consumers.
• Monitor and analyze sales data, customer reactions, and market trends to make informed decisions that boost category performance.
• Responsible for the monthly reporting of profit and losses results and the root causes for the business financial results for each indicator.
• Support the Head of Fuels and Convenience Retailing in the creation of the business plan cycles as applicable. Ensures the category plans align with the wider company’s objectives, annual and strategic plans driving the expected sales and profit growth levels and Shell Group investment proposals for the company operations in the US market.
• Expertise in interpreting market research to understand consumer preferences, competitive landscape, and market opportunities.
• Other duties assigned.

 Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or equivalent Required. Graduate degree in business or marketing or equivalent preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Retail Category Management with at least 5 years leading teams of category managers, brand managers or key account managers at retail or consumer packaged goods distribution. Proven history of accountability over fast moving consumer goods performance.
• Sound knowledge of Convenience Retail business processes including proficiency in the management of the category management cycle.
• Proven expertise in the retail fundamentals of buying, assorting, placement, merchandising, and operational processes is a huge plus.
• Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Retail store operations experience is desired.
• Certification in Category Management from CMA is a plus.
• Proficiency in using business intelligence software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to visualize data and generate actionable insights.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
• Mastery of Excel, including advanced functions like PivotTables, VLOOKUP, and macros, to manipulate and analyze data efficiently.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 25-50lbs or more.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing and walking.
• Ability to travel to store sites 50-75% of the time.