Category Manager – Cigarettes and Tobacco
Nouria
Date: 9 hours ago
City: Worcester, Massachusetts
Contract type: Full time
Nouria Energy Corporation is a multi-generational family-owned wholesale fuel distributor, convenience store operator and car wash operator in New England. Our wholesale and retail fuel businesses are multi-branded, which includes Shell, Mobil, Irving, Sunoco, Gulf, Valero, Citgo, Phillips 66, Exxon, and multiple unbranded brands. Our wholesale operations supply branded and unbranded fuel to 300+ locations across New England and New York. We are ranked within the top 50 largest convenience store chains in the country, operating 150+ company-operated locations throughout New England and ranked within the top 10 largest car wash chains in the country
Job Summary
Category Manager – Cigarettes and Tobacco is responsible for leading the strategic development and performance of the nicotine category, including combustible tobacco, e-cigarettes, oral nicotine, and other emerging alternatives. This role manages product assortment, vendor relationships, pricing, promotions, and regulatory compliance across all store locations. The ideal candidate is both analytically driven and compliance-oriented, with a strong understanding of consumer trends and regulatory frameworks in the nicotine space.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
Education & Experience:
Corporate setting. Occasional travel to vendor meetings, store visits, and industry trade shows is expected.
Nouria Energy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including goal-driven bonus program, company car, 401-K Plan and great work environment. Please forward your resume to [email protected].
Nouria Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Job Summary
Category Manager – Cigarettes and Tobacco is responsible for leading the strategic development and performance of the nicotine category, including combustible tobacco, e-cigarettes, oral nicotine, and other emerging alternatives. This role manages product assortment, vendor relationships, pricing, promotions, and regulatory compliance across all store locations. The ideal candidate is both analytically driven and compliance-oriented, with a strong understanding of consumer trends and regulatory frameworks in the nicotine space.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
- Develop and implement short- and long-term category strategies to grow market share and profitability across tobacco, vaping, and alternative nicotine segments.
- Stay informed on industry trends, consumer insights, and innovation in nicotine products.
- Ensure alignment with company goals and local, state, and federal regulatory standards.
- Curate a balanced product mix across cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and smokeless products.
- Lead SKU optimization efforts, including new item introductions, delistings, and product lifecycle planning.
- Collaborate with vendors to explore emerging nicotine alternatives and innovation.
- Develop and manage competitive pricing strategies that balance volume and margin.
- Partner with marketing and store operations to execute impactful promotions and planograms.
- Manage promotional funding, scan deal structures, and vendor incentive programs.
- Lead negotiations with major tobacco and alternative nicotine vendors
- Monitor vendor compliance with company and regulatory policies.
- Build strategic vendor partnerships to drive value and category growth.
- Ensure all products and marketing practices adhere to FDA, ATF, and state/local laws.
- Collaborate with legal, compliance, and store operations to provide guidance on age-restricted sales and signage.
- Proactively respond to policy changes affecting the nicotine industry.
- Own the P&L for the category; track sales, margin, rebates, and inventory turns.
- Deliver regular category performance reports and analytics with actionable recommendations.
Education & Experience:
- BA/BS in Business or related field required.
- 5 years of category management or merchandising experience in retail, with a strong preference for tobacco, nicotine, or regulated products.
- Deep understanding of the nicotine industry, including e-cigarettes and oral alternatives.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with sales data, Nielsen/IRI, and retail reporting tools.
- Excellent negotiation, vendor management, and communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage compliance and regulatory complexities.
- Customer focused and results oriented.
- Demonstrate Candor; ability to respectfully communicate to and challenge senior leadership.
- Experience in the convenience, fuel, or grocery retail channels.
- Familiarity with category management tools and PDI software.
- Knowledge of marketing and customer segmentation in nicotine categories.
Corporate setting. Occasional travel to vendor meetings, store visits, and industry trade shows is expected.
Nouria Energy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including goal-driven bonus program, company car, 401-K Plan and great work environment. Please forward your resume to [email protected].
Nouria Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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