ASSISTANT CATEGORY MANAGER I
Kroger
Cincinnati, OH · Posted November 9, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
More in Ohio job market · Retail & E-commerce · Operations jobs
More roles at Kroger
- Category Manager I – Produce · Cincinnati, OH
- Division Merchandise Manager, Apparel Planning · Portland, OR
- Sr Strategic Sourcing Analyst, Packaging · Cincinnati, OH
- Assistant Process Change Manager · Cincinnati, OH
- TRANSPORTATION/MANAGER · Cincinnati, OH
- DISTRICT 4 HR SPECIALIST (OMAHA, NE) · Omaha, NE
Similar jobs
- Senior Manager Materials Management · Stanley Black & Decker · Willard, OH
- Global Strategic Sourcing Manager · Illinois Tool Works · Troy, OH
- Global Category Manager - Electronics · Eaton · Beachwood, OH
- ESA Regional Category Manager- Fabrications · Eaton · Beachwood, OH
- Merchandise Manager · Ulta Beauty · Chillicothe, OH
- Purchasing Manager · Hovnanian Enterprises · Columbus, OH
Where Cincinnati, OH ranks
Where Cincinnati, OH placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #2Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Midwest64 / 100 · of 20
- #2Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Great Lakes63 / 100 · of 16
- #3Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest153 jobs · of 51
- #3Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes153 jobs · of 36
- #4Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Midwest252 openings · of 59
- #4Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Great Lakes252 openings · of 48
Rankings about operations jobs
- Best cities for operations jobs #1 New York (1,429 openings)
- Best cities for operations pay after cost of living #1 Reston ($177k)
- Most requested AI skills in operations jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (2.5%)
- AI tools named most often in operations jobs #1 Claude (0.28%)
- Employers with the most operations jobs #1 Amazon (1,480 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among purchasing managers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for purchasing managers: 20% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Kroger has filed 4 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 272 workers, most recently July 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
Serve as a buyer of a discrete, smaller category with ultimate sign-off from the category manager (CM). Assist category managers with the tactical work in building assortments, managing KOMPASS process, executing pricing/promotions, and gathering/analyzing data. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.
- Make recommendations on assortment/plan-o-grams for a smaller category area of responsibility, including potential adds/deletes, and engage CM as needed for perspective and final sign-off - Manage data analysis and day-to-day communication with vendors, 84.51 and Our Brands, and divisions for discrete area; ensure all inputs are gathered in a timely and comprehensive manner - Validate local requests with data analysis and align on jointly-defined KPIs with the division - Support plan-o-gram process, including organizing templates and PCOE communications - Monitor SKU performance on an ongoing assortment to meet financial and strategic goals; establish feedback loop with CM to inform of potential adjustments - Make recommendations on category budgets, forecasts, and plans; identify trends in business and competitive landscape that may affect health of business - Support assortment work and testing process for CMs - Assist with ad-hoc analysis to drive business forward, such as to evaluate decisions to deviate from pricing algorithm recommendations or react to competitor price moves or cost changes - Be proficient across all systems (NEXT, Stratum, etc.) - Support CM in driving promotional strategy to engage customers and drive excitement - Review past ad performance and information on shelf capacity, store sales, and display locations to inform future promotional recommendations - Assist in supply chain issue resolution with replenishment; update CMs before regular checkpoints and engage as needed to provide direction - Organize and manage information sharing with vendor, including product lists /SKU information, directional forecast needs, etc - Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
Minimum - 2+ years of experience with replenishment buying/procurement, merchandising, store assistant leader, operations or brand management - Intermediate knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook - Strong attention to detail - Excellent oral/written communication skills
Desired - Bachelor's Degree - Any replenishment buying/procurement experience - Any division store management experience - Any exposure to Kroger Category Management Systems, Business Objects, Enterprise Sales Planning (ESP) and 84.51 sciences - Strong organization and multi-tasking skills
From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!
What you’ll receive from us:
The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:
A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
For more information about benefits and eligibility, please visit our Benefits Page !