Manager of General Merchandise - Loves Travel Stops & Country Store

Req ID: 433804 

*This position will be located onsite at Love's corporate office in Oklahoma City.*

BASIC PURPOSE: The primary purpose of the Manager of General Merchandise position is to strategically lead their given categories to financial, and customer enhancements criteria. This role will lead a group of category management, and category management support roles to meet strategic objectives for the merchandising department.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement strategic leadership for assigned categories: General Merchandise, Trucker Merchandise, Mobile Technologies, and Electronics.
• Lead a group of category managers, and category management support functions.
• Responsible for department strategy, including direct influence of private brand and global sourcing initiatives.
• Oversee key merchandising projects and initiatives, ensuring timely execution and delivery of results.
• Implement and manage tools, systems, and workflows to support efficient merchandising operations.
• Develop project plans, set milestones, and monitor progress to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to achieve merchandising goals, ensuring effective teamwork.
• Provide guidance and support to team, fostering a culture of productivity, accountability, and innovation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance operational efficiency, and optimize resource allocation.
• Own the 4 P’s of Marketing for given categories (product, place, price, promotion)
• Oversee cross-functional process to increase financial performance and improve the customer experience.
• Create, and implement KPI’s to define strategic success of given categories.
• Utilize all analytical tools to make numbers driven decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • HS Diploma or equivalent required.
  • Bachelors preferred.
• Experience:
  • Experience 5+Years in Retail Category Management.
  • 5+ years managing a team or department.
  • Experience managing vendor relations and strategic planning is required.
  • Accounts payable, technical developments or implementation is a plus.
  • Product development experience is a plus.

      SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Skills:
  • Hard skills: Fluent in Microsoft Office programs, Tableau, inventory mgmt systems.
  • Soft skills: Strong written and verbal communication, ability to work under ambiguity and grit, attention to detail, ability to manage a large workload, excellent organization & time management, & keen follow-up.
• Typical Physical Demands:
  • Scheduling flexibility, capable of traveling frequently.
  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
  • Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

key words: senior merchant, senior category manager, merchant director, category management director, head category manager, category manager leader, leader of category management, senior manager of merchandise, sr category manager

Job Function(s): Operations 

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with more than 630 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets.
• Speedco and Love’s Truck Care, the largest oil change and preventive maintenance and total truck care network.
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader.
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert.
• TVC Pro-driver, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) protection subscription service.