Strategic Category Manager, Foodservice Growth

Flanagan Foodservice Inc.; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Flanagan Foodservice Inc. in Kitchener, ON is seeking a strategic Category Manager to drive profitable growth across assigned product categories. You will develop category strategies, optimize assortments, and partner with suppliers to maximize revenue and margins.

Collaborate with Sales, Procurement, Supply Chain, Pricing and Marketing to grow revenue, improve inventory performance and strengthen Flanagan's competitive position. Minimum 5 years in foodservice/category management is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in foodservice distribution, category management, purchasing, vendor management, sales or marketing.
• Strong understanding of foodservice products, distribution, customer needs and market dynamics.
• Proven ability to develop category strategies, negotiate vendor agreements and deliver profitable growth.
• Strong financial acumen, including pricing, gross margin, vendor revenue and inventory management.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for business travel, as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to achieve sales, gross profit, margin and vendor revenue targets.
• Analyze category performance, customer trends and market conditions to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage product assortment, innovation, private label opportunities, new listings and SKU rationalization.
• Monitor KPIs, including sales growth, profitability, inventory turns, fill rates and SKU productivity.
• Maintain knowledge of foodservice customer needs, market trends and competitive activity.
• Build and maintain strategic vendor partnerships that support profitable category growth.
• Negotiate costs, rebates, promotional allowances, vendor revenue programs and commercial agreements.
• Develop annual vendor business plans aligned with category objectives.
• Evaluate vendor performance, including pricing, service levels, product quality and profitability.
• Ensure vendor agreements, funding commitments and revenue programs are accurately maintained and executed.
• Manage product listings, specifications, pricing strategies and overall assortment performance.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Pricing and Supply Chain to optimize inventory, forecasting, product availability and margins.
• Address slow-moving, aged, excess and discontinued inventory to minimize exposure.
• Support seasonal planning, promotions and product launches.
• Ensure product quality, shelf-life, storage and food safety considerations are incorporated into category decisions.

Skills

Category management

Vendor management

Pricing strategy

Inventory management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Project management

Tools

Excel

BI software

Job description

Flanagan Foodservice Inc. in Kitchener, ON is seeking a strategic Category Manager to drive profitable growth across assigned product categories. You will develop category strategies, optimize assortments, and partner with suppliers to maximize revenue and margins.

Collaborate with Sales, Procurement, Supply Chain, Pricing and Marketing to grow revenue, improve inventory performance and strengthen Flanagan's competitive position. Minimum 5 years in foodservice/category management is expected.