Director, Category Strategy

This Director, Category Strategy position is with Sprouts Farmers Market in Phoenix, AZ. Overview The Director, Category Strategy leads the Category Strategy team and serves as the primary business owner for Sprouts Brand categories. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, competitive differentiation, customer loyalty, and long-term business performance. The Director partners closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, Store Operations, Product Development, Brand, Packaging, Quality, and supplier partners to identify growth opportunities, improve category productivity, identify and implement COGS savings opportunities, optimize assortments, strengthen supplier partnerships, and accelerate speed to market. This leader owns the commercial strategy for Sprouts Brand categories, including category planning, assortment optimization, supplier management, commercialization, operational effectiveness, and near-term innovation. The role is accountable for identifying category opportunities in conjunction with the Merchandising Category management teams and partnering with the Product Development team to bring more complex and differentiated innovations to market. This position is located at our Store Support Office in Phoenix, Arizona, and operates on a hybrid schedule (in office Tuesday - Thursday). Overview of Responsibilities • Develop and execute the strategic vision, operating plans, and growth agenda for the Sprouts Brand portfolio, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives and long-term business • Lead category strategy and portfolio planning to drive Sprouts Brand sales growth, gross profit expansion, category penetration where relevant, customer loyalty, and competitive • Partner with senior leaders across Merchandising, Product Development, Supply Chain, Operations, Brand, and Quality to establish category priorities and deliver business • Own category portfolio performance, leveraging market intelligence, customer insights, competitive analysis, and financial metrics to identify growth opportunities, mitigate risks, and optimize • Establish and govern category performance metrics, operating reviews, and business planning processes to drive accountability and continuous • Direct innovation roadmaps and commercialization strategies, prioritizing opportunities that accelerate growth, strengthen brand differentiation, and expand market • Build and lead strategic supplier relationships, sourcing strategies, and external partnerships that enhance innovation capabilities, operational effectiveness, and speed to • Drive financial performance through margin enhancement, cost optimization, sourcing strategies, and productivity initiatives while balancing customer value and business • Champion cross-functional execution and go-to-market excellence, ensuring successful product launches, operational readiness, inventory health, and in-store • Influence enterprise-level decisions through strategic recommendations, business case development, and executive-level communication of category opportunities, risks, and • Lead, develop, and scale a high-performing Category Strategy organization, including talent development, succession planning, capability building, and workforce • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, customer focus, and operational excellence while strengthening organizational capabilities and future leadership #LI-KO1 Qualifications • Preferred bachelor’s degrees with 10+ years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, private brand, or related functions • 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams, developing talent, and leading cross-functional business initiatives • Experience in merchandising and category management with relevant experience in product development or merchandising with product knowledge preferred • Demonstrated success developing and commercializing innovative consumer products and driving measurable business growth is beneficial • Experience presenting strategic recommendations and business performance updates to senior and executive leadership teams • Requires long-term strategic and financial planning skills • Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines • Complete understanding of P/L statements, general ledgers, and margins • Thorough understanding Microsoft Office suite • Some travel required Benefits In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include: • Competitive pay • Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health • Vacation accrual plan • Opportunities for career growth • 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts • Flexible schedules • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match • Company paid life insurance • Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun! Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits: • Bonus based on company and/or individual performance • Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision • Health Savings Account with company match • Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care • Company paid short-term disability coverage • Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers • Paid holidays Get Paid Every Day! Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free.  We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday. You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/. Why Sprouts Grow with us! If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting.  Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey. At Sprouts, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and caring workplace culture. Our Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs) create spaces for connection, support, and growth. Every team member is welcome to join one or more of our five groups: • Inspiring Women at Sprouts • Rainbow Alliance at Sprouts • Sabor at Sprouts • Soul at Sprouts • Honored to Serve at Sprouts Together, these groups celebrate diversity and empower our team to thrive. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Sprouts will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance. California Residents: We collect information in accordance with California law, please see here for more information.