Additional Information
The Assistant Category Merchant (ACM) provides critical day-to-day operational support to the Snacks & Beverage category team at Whole Foods Market. This role ensures continuity across Cookie/Cracker, Salty Snacks, and Shelf Stable Dips/Salsa. The ACM manages item setup, vendor communications, service level tracking, promotional coordination, and cost change monitoring. This role is the connective tissue between our Category Merchants, distribution partners, and brand teams - keeping the engine running so our shoppers always find the right products, at the right price, on the right shelf.
Key job responsibilities
- Support Category Merchants across Cookie/Cracker, Salty Snacks, and Shelf Stable Dips/Salsa in managing vendor relationships - Manage new item setup and downstream file maintenance in partnership with distributors (UNFI and non-UNFI) - Track and flag cost changes, SPDA renewals, and pricing discrepancies - Monitor service levels and fill rates; escalate supply issues to vendors proactively - Coordinate promotional submissions, seasonal program logistics, and off-shelf merchandising - Manage Data Monster / MOSST tickets and resolve item-level issues - Support Weekly Business Reviews (WBR) with data preparation and reporting - Communicate with brokers, distributors, and brand partners on behalf of the category team - Assist with category review preparation, assortment planning, and planogram execution - Receive and process product samples; Maintain check-in cadence with key accounts (e.g., 2-3x/week depending on brand complexity)
A day in the life
No two days are the same - and that's the point. The ACM role requires someone who is nimble, can shift priorities on the fly, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where the inbox never stops.
On any given day, you might:
- Start by triaging emails and building your priority list - what's urgent, what's escalating, what can wait - Hop on scheduled brand check-ins, take detailed notes, and follow up with action items same-day - Dig into project work: new item setup, ticket resolution, cost change tracking, or SPDA renewals - Join cross-functional meetings (Seasonal, Pricing, Supply Chain) - show up prepared, capture next steps, and keep things moving - Communicate with vendors and brokers - drafting emails, coordinating promos, flagging issues that need escalation - Self-manage your workload: update your task board, prep materials for upcoming meetings, and make sure nothing slips - Wrap the day by updating the Category Merchant on open items and setting up tomorrow's priorities
The work is a mix of meetings, note-taking, independent project work, and real-time problem solving. You'll need to be someone who can context-switch without dropping the ball, manage your own time effectively, and know when to escalate vs. handle it yourself.
Amazon.com · Austin, TX