Gestionnaire de catégorie, Viandes, Fruits de mer et Substituts - Category Manager, Meat, Seafo[...]

Foodtastic; Montreal; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Foodtastic, a leading Canadian restaurant company, seeks a Category Manager for Meat, Seafood & Alternatives to oversee sourcing and quality control of proteins. This role involves strategic supplier management, collaboration with culinary teams, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in sourcing, strong analytical skills, and be bilingual in French and English.

Benefits

Free coffee, drinks, and snacks at the office

Free parking at the office

Access to a gym at no cost

Summer Fridays

Paid one-hour lunch

Virtual health care services via TELUS

Company social activities

Group insurance plan covering health, dental, and long-term disability

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in sourcing or category management.
• Bilingual in French and English.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data.

Responsibilities

• Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with protein suppliers.
• Develop seasonal protein sourcing plans considering market trends.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to ensure optimal freshness.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Negotiation

Sourcing Strategy

Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

NetSuite

Job description

Founded in 2016, Foodtastic is one of Canada's largest restaurant companies. Over the past five years, total sales across all restaurants have grown from $50 million to over $1 billion. Our portfolio includes 27 restaurant chains such as Milestones, Second Cup, Pita Pit, Quesada, La Belle et La Bœuf, and Benny Rôtisseries.

We are dedicated to creating extraordinary relationships with our franchisees and providing memorable culinary experiences to our customers. Our growth is driven by the creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our team. We continue to expand and are always looking for exceptional candidates to join Foodtastic.

As the Category Manager for Meat, Seafood & Alternatives, you will be responsible for sourcing, quality control, and overall strategy related to proteins for our national restaurant chain. Your mission is to ensure reliable and profitable sourcing of high-quality proteins, considering seasonality and evolving consumer preferences.

You will work closely with culinary teams, supply chain, and supplier partners to deliver freshness, flavor, and sustainability at scale. You should be comfortable negotiating contracts with key suppliers and visiting meat processing plants to evaluate product quality.

This role requires a mix of sourcing strategy, operational execution, and relationship management to elevate the protein category as a key driver of customer satisfaction and brand value.

Responsibilities :

• Sourcing and Supplier Management : Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with protein suppliers nationwide to ensure consistent and reliable supply. Regularly evaluate supplier performance based on product quality, cost competitiveness, delivery reliability, and food safety compliance.
• Seasonal Planning and Forecasting : Develop seasonal protein sourcing plans considering market trends, weather conditions, and supply chain risks. Adjust purchasing strategies based on crop seasons, availability, and price fluctuations.
• Quality Assurance : Collaborate with quality control teams to define and maintain standards for freshness, appearance, and presentation. Conduct regular audits to assess product quality.
• Menu Collaboration : Work with culinary teams to plan and source seasonal or long-term protein items, ensuring optimal freshness and variety. Propose new options aligned with customer tastes and health trends.
• Sustainability and Waste Reduction : Lead initiatives to reduce protein waste, optimize storage practices, and promote sustainable, local sourcing when possible. Prioritize local or regional suppliers to minimize food miles.
• Cost Negotiation and Profitability Management : Monitor price trends, negotiate supplier contracts, and implement cost reduction initiatives without compromising quality. Balance cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, and operational needs. Collaborate with revenue management to maximize category profitability.
• Inventory and Supply Chain Optimization : Work with operations to streamline protein sourcing and distribution, maintain optimal stock levels, reduce losses, and ensure efficient delivery schedules. Seek efficiency gains through supplier consolidation and SKU rationalization.
• Market and Consumer Trends Monitoring : Stay updated on protein trends (Halal, grass-fed, organic, etc.). Analyze customer feedback and market studies to anticipate demand changes and suggest relevant adjustments.
• Regulatory Compliance and Food Safety : Ensure all protein products meet current regulations and traceability standards. Work with quality assurance teams to conduct supplier audits and verify safety protocols.
• Product Lifecycle Management : Manage the lifecycle of protein items, from introduction to menu removal, ensuring only the most profitable and high-quality products are maintained. Coordinate with marketing for promotional activities around seasonal or specialized proteins.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in sourcing or category management, preferably in proteins or fresh products.
• Bilingual in French and English, spoken and written.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel; experience with Power BI and procurement systems (e.g., NetSuite) is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable strategies.
• Proven success in developing sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, and managing suppliers.
• Good knowledge of food safety regulations and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Autonomous with excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and capable of leading projects independently.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfortable in a dynamic, collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment.

Company Benefits :

• Free coffee, drinks, and snacks at the office
• Free parking at the office
• Access to a gym at no cost
• Summer Fridays
• Paid one-hour lunch
• Virtual health care services via TELUS
• Company social activities
• Group insurance plan covering health, dental, and long-term disability

J-18808-Ljbffr

Create a job alert for this search