Associate Category Manager, Laredo Taco Company & Roost
JOB SUMMARY:
We're looking for a highly motivated Associate Category Manager to support the growth of our Laredo Taco Company and Roost restaurant brands. In this role, you'll work closely with Category Managers to develop and execute category strategies, manage product lifecycles, support operations, and take ownership of specific product categories or initiatives. Your work will help drive sales, improve margins, and ensure flawless execution across our stores. Laredo Taco Company is the 8th largest Mexican QSR chain in the U.S. and Roost is a homegrown Chicken QSR - and they're both owned and operated by 7-Eleven.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
Sales & Planning Support
- Partner with multiple Category Managers to support the Laredo Taco Company and Roost restaurant categories.
- Manage item setup, forecasting, and lifecycle maintenance for assigned product categories.
- Assist with planogram and menu schematics for optimized product assortments.
- Ensure accurate supplier information, including product costs, discounts, vendor setup, and routing details.
- Monitor and execute category programs, promotions, and vendor agreements (e.g., bill-backs, allowances, co-op media), with regular communication to Category Managers.
- Track and analyze sales performance metrics (e.g., sales per unit, margin) and share actionable insights with cross-functional teams.
- Help prepare and manage national sales plans, promotional campaigns, and in-store marketing materials.
- Support supply chain functions by forecasting demand and resolving day-to-day issues with foodservice distributors.
Category Strategy & Execution
- Collaborate with Category Managers to define roles and intents of product categories and segmentation strategies.
- Contribute to gross profit optimization through financial analysis and SKU productivity reviews.
- Participate in vendor meetings, supporting product assortment and cost negotiation discussions.
- Help lead strategic initiatives related to pricing, menu design, and new product innovation.
- Develop and manage in-store product testing, including communication, execution, and result tracking.
- Recommend and implement menu strategies and merchandising improvements within assigned categories and regions.
- Serve as a point-of-contact for operations, offering insights and coaching on category best practices.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- EDUCATION: Bachelors/4 Yr Degree
- YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE: 1+ years
- YEARS OF MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE: NA
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Experience: 1-3 years of experience in retail, foodservice or restaurants.
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders
- Experience in vendor negotiations and financial planning
- Familiarity with item management and pricing systems (PDI or 7-Eleven systems preferred)
- Self-starter with excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
- Customer-focused with a strong understanding of operational impact
If an hourly or salary range is included in this ad it represents the range 7-Eleven in good faith believes is the range of compensation for this role at the time of this posting. The Company may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in this state. This range may be modified in the future. No amount is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable under the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, long-term incentive compensation, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
For a general description of all benefits 7-Eleven is offering in the US for the position, please visit this link.
