Category Manager – Pet, Snacks & Nutrition
The Islander Group (TIG) | Mililani, Hawaiʻi | Full-Time | On-Site
Salary: $65,000 – $85,000
Build Brands. Grow Categories. Shape Retail Across Hawaiʻi.
The Islander Group (TIG) is one of Hawaiʻi's leading wholesale distribution companies, serving retailers, foodservice operators, and commercial customers throughout Hawaiʻi and Guam for more than 40 years.
We are the trusted distribution partner for major retailers including Walmart, Foodland, Safeway, 7-Eleven, and many other leading local and national accounts. We represent a diverse portfolio of national and local brands, including Oberto Beef Jerky, Atkins and CLIF Nutrition products, Inaba Pet Foods, Kauai Kookie, Mochi Foods, Kaimana Jerky, and many more.
We are seeking an entrepreneurial and results-driven Category Manager – Pet, Snacks & Nutrition to lead and grow some of our most exciting product categories. This is an opportunity to directly influence product selection, category growth, brand strategy, and retailer success across the Hawaiian Islands. If you enjoy building brands, analyzing market opportunities, working with manufacturers, and developing strong retailer relationships, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do
As Category Manager, you will own and grow TIG's Pet, Snacks, and Nutrition categories from supplier partnership through retail execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and grow a portfolio of Pet, Snack, and Nutrition brands across Hawaiʻi.
- Develop category growth strategies that increase sales, distribution, market share, and profitability.
- Identify and evaluate new products, suppliers, and category opportunities.
- Work directly with major retail accounts including Walmart, Foodland, Safeway, 7-Eleven, and other leading retailers throughout the state.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, brand owners, buyers, and retail partners.
- Collaborate with purchasing, sales, marketing, and operations teams to successfully launch and support products in the marketplace.
- Analyze sales trends, pricing, margins, inventory performance, and market opportunities to drive business decisions.
- Lead supplier meetings, business reviews, promotional planning, and category initiatives.
- Monitor category performance and develop recommendations to improve distribution, assortment, pricing, and profitability.
- Travel periodically to neighboring islands to support customers, build relationships, and identify growth opportunities.
- Some meighbor island travel required.
Why Join TIG?
- Work with nationally recognized and local brands.
- Own categories with significant growth potential, including the rapidly growing pet segment.
- Build relationships with Hawaiʻi's largest retailers and leading consumer brands.
- Join a stable, locally owned company with more than 40 years of success.
- Be part of a collaborative team where your ideas and decisions directly impact company growth.
- Opportunity for professional growth and advancement as TIG continues to expand.
Qualifications-Preferred Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in category management, brand management, product management, wholesale distribution, retail merchandising, purchasing, sales, or consumer packaged goods (CPG).
- Experience working with grocery, mass retail, convenience, pet, food, beverage, or consumer products categories preferred.
- Hawaiʻi retail, wholesale, or distribution experience is highly desirable.
- Strong business and financial acumen, including pricing, margins, ROI, and inventory management.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and communication abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Excel, PowerPoint, and business reporting tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary: $65,000 – $85,000
- Annual performance bonus opportunity
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Company-observed holidays
- Employee discount
- Professional development opportunities
Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
