Area Category Manager - COP

US Foods; Manassas, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

US Foods is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead implementation of category strategies across multiple Distribution Centers in the United States. Develop plans, review assortments, and identify growth opportunities to drive profitable sales aligned with national goals.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with culinary teams, sales staff, and vendors, coordinate onboarding for accounts, and support area bids with robust analysis while ensuring consistent brand messaging across regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field required.
• Experience in category management or related area is essential.
• Ability to present data and recommendations clearly to leadership.
• Proven capability to work effectively in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop implementation plans for category strategies across multiple Distribution Centers.
• Review Area assortments and identify growth opportunities, slow SKUs, or dead SKUs.
• Drive profitable sales growth within assigned categories and align with national strategy.
• Coordinate onboarding for accounts and support major Area bids with data-driven analysis.
• Ensure alignment of Area assortment with local needs and brand messaging.

Skills

Category management

Presentation skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Business acumen

Project management

Education

Four-year college degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs. Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies. Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs. Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities. Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.

SUPERVISION

None

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: Regional, Area and Distribution Center staff, up to and including members of the leadership team. External: Customers, vendors, suppliers and all national / local food brokers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training: Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required. Related Experience: Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required, working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $85,000 - $135,000 ***EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***

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US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 28,000 employees and more than 70 locations, US Foods provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and generates more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.

US Foods may collect personal information from you in connection with the application process. US Foods complies with the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its policy may be found here.

US Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Know Your Rights Pay Transparency policy statement is available here

US Foods is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.