Merchandising & Category Manager (Tobacco & Center Store)

Do you want to help shape the strategy and execution of some of the top-performing categories in convenience retail?

Tri Star Energy is currently seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and driven Merchandising & Category Manager to join our Marketing team at our Store Support Center in Nashville, TN.

Tri Star Energy has been recognized as one of Nashville’s Top Workplaces for the last 6 years in a row, and we are continuing to build an amazing team of high-impact professionals. This is a high-visibility role leading the company’s largest sales-driving categories, with the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and make a direct impact on profitability, compliance, and the customer experience.

What We Offer

• Award-winning culture of Energy, Integrity, Support, & Service
• Career growth opportunities & mentorship
• Competitive compensation & bonus structure
• Affordable healthcare insurance
• Tuition reimbursement & credentialing support
• Ongoing training and development
• HSA contributions & matching
• Generous PTO & community service days
• Employee discounts and perks
• 401K matching & immediate vesting

Summary

The Merchandising & Category Manager is responsible for driving sales, profitability, and compliance in tobacco, tobacco alternatives, and center-store grocery categories.

This includes leading category planning, vendor partnerships, and merchandising execution while balancing regulatory requirements and evolving consumer demand. The role collaborates cross-functionally across Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Vendors to optimize pricing, promotions, and in-store execution.

Primary Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sales Growth

• Own category planning, assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies for assigned categories.
• Analyze sales, margins, and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and cost savings.
• Develop category-specific goals and monitor performance against KPIs.

Vendor & Regulatory Management

• Manage vendor partnerships, contracts, pricing, rebates, and promotional allowances.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tobacco/nicotine regulations.
• Stay informed on evolving legislation and communicate updates to leadership and operations.

Merchandising & Program Execution

• Lead planogram (POG) development and execution across store formats.
• Oversee new item setup, authorizations, and delisting.
• Support new store openings, remodels, and rebuilds with consistent merchandising execution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations to ensure compliance and execution in stores.
• Work with Marketing, Loyalty, Digital, and Data teams to align category strategies with customer engagement.
• Support company initiatives in cultural advertising, promotions, and customer experience.

Future State & Strategic Outlook

• Anticipate category evolution, including reduced-risk nicotine products.
• Identify innovation opportunities and white-space products for growth.
• Develop new vendor partnerships to meet changing consumer preferences.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of retail merchandising, category management, or buying experience.
• Strong knowledge of convenience retail operations and center-store strategies.
• Working knowledge of tobacco/nicotine compliance requirements.
• Strong financial acumen and data analysis skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing tobacco/nicotine categories or regulated consumer goods.
• CPG/vendor management experience including contract negotiation.
• Prior category management experience in convenience store, grocery, or fuel retail.
• Experience with retail data tools (Nielsen, IRI, etc.).
• Strong presentation and influence skills with cross-functional teams and leadership.

About Us

Tri Star Energy is a growing, family-owned company with over 2,000 employees and 180+ locations, headquartered in Nashville, TN. We operate leading retail brands including Twice Daily, Sudden Service, and White Bison Coffee, and are one of the leading fuel providers in the Southeast.

Our mission is simple: “To build lasting relationships by serving our community.” We live by our values: Strive for Balance, Expect Achievement, Be a Servant Leader, Have Integrity, and Be Committed.

Join our team today and help us set a new bar for convenience retail!

Tri Star Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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