Whitney Herrera
KYLE,TX
Summary
Results-driven Senior Category Manager with expertise in category analysis, vendor management, and financial acumen. Proven track record in optimizing product assortments and driving sales growth through effective negotiation strategies.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Category Manager
Whole Foods Market
Austin, TX
09.2023 - Current
- Develop and execute category strategy to optimize product assortment, build incremental sales, units, and market share growth for the Snacks category.
- Analyze market trends and consumer insights to inform purchasing decisions and enhance category performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products that met organizational standards and aligned with customer preferences.
- Partner with cross-functional inventory management team and external distributor partners to reach a 95% in-stock rate at the store level.
- Achieve cost reduction targets through effective negotiation with suppliers and implementation of procurement best practices.
- Negotiate pricing and costs with vendors to secure the best value for customers, while continuing to drive contribution profit.
- Cultivate strong relationships with vendors to maintain and improve levels of customer service.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to minimize waste and maintain consistent product availability across stores.
- Hire, onboard, and mentor direct reports.
Category Manager
Whole Foods Market Inc
Austin, TX
10.2021 - 09.2023
- Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortments within Cereals, Packaged Tea, Nut Butters, and Fruit Spreads Categories.
- Established relationships with stakeholders to align category objectives with overall business goals.
- Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortments.
- Collaborated with suppliers to negotiate pricing, ensuring competitive positioning within the market.
- Conducted regular reviews of inventory levels, resulting in improved stock turnover rates.
Associate Manager
Whole Foods Market Inc
Austin, TX
07.2019 - 10.2021
- Support category, merchandising, promotional and pricing strategy development, analysis and execution.
- Supported category assortment planning, including supplier line reviews, assortment analysis, stakeholder collaboration, item planning and forecasting.
- Assisted with promotional and pricing management.
- Facilitated information sharing between all applicable stakeholder teams.
Senior Analyst - Merchandising Operations
Whole Foods Market
Austin, TX
04.2017 - 08.2019
- Established Whole Foods Market's first in-store execution program.
- Partnered with a contractor stakeholder to staff, onboard, and train merchandisers for the in-store execution program at Whole Foods.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to establish internal training and reset readiness materials.
- Built post-event reporting and published to internal stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Geography
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV06.2010
Skills
- Category analysis
- Category optimization
- Category planning
- Pricing management
- Vendor management
- Negotiation expertise
- Financial acumen
- Leadership and Mentoring
Accomplishments
- Achieved Global All Star Award in 2019 for managing logistics and forecast planning during Covid.
- Supervise 8 team members, as interim team lead for Snacks and Beverage subteam.
Timeline
Senior Category Manager
Whole Foods Market
09.2023 - Current
Category Manager
Whole Foods Market Inc
10.2021 - 09.2023
Associate Manager
Whole Foods Market Inc
07.2019 - 10.2021
Senior Analyst - Merchandising Operations
Whole Foods Market
04.2017 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Geography
University of Nevada, Reno