Assistant Category Manager – Frozen

Company Overview

Foodstuffs North Island Limited operates over 300 stores including well-known brands like New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square across New Zealand's North Island. With a team of more than 24,000 employees, the co-op prides itself on serving and representing local communities with an emphasis on celebrating its diverse and unique people.

Role Overview

As an Assistant Category Manager focusing on the frozen goods category, you will work alongside a Category Manager and other Category Assistants to strategically manage product selection and shelf presentation in the freezer sections across multiple retail banners. Your responsibilities will include managing products such as frozen vegetables, poultry, prepared meals, and ice cream to ensure the portfolio meets customer needs and business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Category Manager in the planning, organizing, and operational management of the frozen category portfolio aligning with overall company objectives.
• Analyze product ranges, pricing strategies, and promotional performance to identify growth opportunities.
• Coordinate product, pricing, and promotional activities ensuring adherence to deadlines and store requirements.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, stores, and internal teams across the organization.
• Contribute to category planning activities including forecasting, supplier negotiations, merchandising, and product placement.

Candidate Profile

• Experience in the food industry or a fast-moving commercial environment, with exposure to category management, buying, merchandising, ranging, sourcing, pricing, or promotions.
• Strong analytical abilities with the capacity to identify trends and provide actionable insights.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with familiarity in functions such as VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Excellent communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration with suppliers, stores, and internal teams.
• A proactive, curious mindset with dedication to learning and delivering quality results in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

Benefits

• Access to over 1,000 free parking spaces including electric vehicle charging stations.
• Subsidised health insurance through Southern Cross.
• An onsite café offering discounted meals, a mini mart, and a 5% discount across retail stores.
• Flexible working arrangements, birthday leave, and entitlement to long service leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, flu vaccinations, and social groups (termed Tribes) fostering community among employees.

Diversity and Inclusion

The company encourages applications from diverse backgrounds including those with disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodiversity, promoting an inclusive and supportive work environment. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request to ensure equitable recruitment participation.

Additional Information

Artificial intelligence tools may be employed during the recruitment process to assist with application review and resume analysis, but all final employment decisions are made by human assessors.