grocery category assistant

About Us: Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — we're a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, we've grown into the Pacific Northwest's premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one that's centered around food, culture, and people.

Why Join Uwajimaya?

At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for team members who are collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate about making a difference. Whether you're serving customers, supporting operations, or leading a team, you bring a people-first mindset and a strong work ethic. If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and believe in the power of inclusion, community, and connection — you'll feel right at home here.

To thrive at Uwajimaya, you should embody our core competencies:

• Functional/Technical Skills: You possess the necessary functional and technical knowledge to perform your job at a high level.
• Customer Focus: You are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements, using feedback for improvements, and building effective relationships based on trust and respect.
• Action Oriented: You enjoy working hard, are full of energy for challenging tasks, and seize opportunities with minimal planning.
• Peer Relationships: You can find common ground with peers, solve problems collaboratively, and are seen as a cooperative team player who encourages collaboration.
• Self-Development: You are committed to continuous self-improvement, adapt to different situations, and work to develop your strengths while addressing weaknesses.

We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and friendly work culture
• Competitive starting wages
• Paid holidays from day one
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
• A generous retirement plan
• Paid time off, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Employee discounts on food and gift items
• Supplemental insurance options
• Opportunities for growth and advancement

Position Summary:

The Category Assistant at Uwajimaya will assist the Category Manager in supporting our store teams by coordinating communication with store managers and vendors, leading new item and new vendor onboarding, analyzing sales data, and providing actionable insights to improve product offerings and profitability. They must be a detail-oriented and analytical individual who thrives in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and an understanding of market trends, helping to drive strategic decisions and optimizing the overall performance of their assigned categories. The Category Assistant will be fluent in Japanese, both written and spoken, and will support the Japanese purchasing desk in event planning and ordering.

Position's Key Responsibilities:

• Gather, analyze, and interpret sales and market data to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges within assigned categories.
• Create and present regular reports on category performance, including sales, margin, and inventory metrics. Develop actionable recommendations based on data insights.
• Provide communication to store managers regarding new item launches, product availability, and promotions.
• Track and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) for assigned categories. Monitor product performance, sales growth, and inventory turnover.
• Collaborate with Category Managers to develop and implement category plans and strategies.
• Analyze vendor performance and pricing strategies. Provide insights to support negotiations and improve vendor relationships.
• Work closely with stores, merchandising, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on category initiatives and promotional activities.
• Assist in forecasting demand and planning inventory levels to ensure optimal product availability and minimize stockouts or overstocks.
• Plan and execute in store demos and events
• Other duties as assigned.

Starting Pay: $23.59/hr., Depending on Experience

Pay Range: $23.59 – $34.20/hr.

Uwajimaya participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Please review the E-Verify Participation Poster and Right to Work Poster before proceeding with your application

IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, KB)

E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) (PDF, KB)

Uwajimaya is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field are a plus.
• 2-4 years of experience in store, retail, or food service operations or in a Retail analysis or support role.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Tableau).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner.
• Knowledge of retail operations and market dynamics.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in Japanese.
• Regular visits to Uwajimaya stores.