Director, Category and Innovation

Overview

This opportunity is with Albertsons Companies in Pleasanton, California. The role is designed for a senior leader who wants to shape product strategy, improve customer value, and drive measurable business impact in a fast-moving retail environment.

The Director of Category Management & Product Development for Own Brands will steer category strategy and new product development across priority categories. The role centers on assortment, product quality, innovation, pricing, and promotional effectiveness, while ensuring Own Brands plans support broader company goals around loyalty, penetration, sales, and margin.

Product and Assortment Management

• Evaluate market trends and consumer data to define the best private-label assortment, including identifying assortment gaps and opportunities to create new or premiumized products.
• Spot customer and market needs to shape new Own Brand concepts, then manage the full product journey from idea creation through exit decisions for weaker items.
• Make sure private-label items meet required quality, safety, and regulatory expectations by partnering closely with quality assurance and legal teams to reduce risk.

Product Development and Innovation

• Oversee the development process from concept and R&D through testing, packaging design, commercialization, and scale-up, including formulation, naming, claims, certifications, positioning, and packaging decisions.
• Build and uphold quality assurance standards so products comply with food safety rules, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing expectations such as Organic and Fair Trade.
• Encourage fresh thinking and experimentation by guiding new formulations and recipes that align with nutritional and culinary standards and match customer needs.
• Lead packaging updates, visual improvements, and brand-tier consistency in support of the company’s sustainability priorities.

Vendor and Supply Chain Management

• Help negotiate with suppliers and manufacturers to obtain strong pricing, dependable quality, and reliable supply while maintaining strategic vendor relationships.
• Work with sourcing, procurement, and logistics teams to keep operations efficient, inventory balanced, and business continuity protected.

Data, Insights, and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Use analytics, syndicated data sources such as Nielsen and Circana, and consumer insights to guide decisions and uncover growth opportunities.
• Act as a central partner to national and division teams, ensuring strategy is executed consistently across stores and e-commerce channels.
• Prepare regular updates, reports, and presentations for leadership on category performance, market movement, and recommended actions.

Leadership and Team Development

• Manage and develop direct reports, including Managers, Assistant Managers, and Associates.
• Create development plans, handle performance management, and identify ways to improve organizational processes, training, programs, and team workflows.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings strong category, brand, or product innovation leadership in a consumer goods or retail setting, along with the ability to influence stakeholders, lead cross-functional work, and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Additional Information

The role is based in Pleasanton, CA.

A full job description can be shared upon request.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with weekly payment
• Early access to up to 50% of earned wages before payday through Stream
• Associate shopping discounts
• Health and financial wellness benefits for eligible associates, including medical, dental, 401(k), and more
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave, subject to eligibility
• Access to leaders who support training, career growth, and development
• An inclusive workplace with colleagues representing the communities served