Area Category Operations Manager

Smart Foodservice Stores; Bridgeport (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart Foodservice Stores is seeking a results-oriented category management professional to drive the area produce strategy across multiple Distribution Centers. You will own the area plan, optimize local assortment, and ensure alignment with national category goals while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Collaborate with area sales leaders, culinary teams, and suppliers to identify growth opportunities, communicate changes, and deliver on-time produce updates.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in business or related field.
• Minimum 7 years category management experience.
• Experience in Food Service or Food Manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in presenting and influencing across levels.

Responsibilities

• Own Area produce category and operational strategies for multiple DCs.
• Ensure alignment with US Foods category strategy and Area needs.
• Gather local market data and report opportunities and trends.
• Finalize Area assortment and communicate with sales teams weekly.
• Coordinate product training, launches, and brand messaging.

Skills

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Business acumen

Data-driven decisions

Education

Four-year college degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Join Our Community of Food People!

Support and execute the implementation of US Foods produce category strategy across the defined Area. Recommended assortment changes and support positive local vendor relationships for all DCs within the area. Work with Area sales leaders, specialists and other customer support roles to drive key account development. Own produce assortment updates, informational inquiries and delivery of produce goals for all markets within that Area. Support all local customer requirements within the defined Area keeping in line with the national strategies coming from the Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Own implementation plan for Area produce category and operational strategies customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy, goals and defined Area needs.

Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead products as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce product 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. Ensure weekly produce communication with the sales team. Implement produce strategy with leadership and ensure all quality objectives are met. Work with the corporate team covering delayed trucks and potential shorted items. Communicated market and area needs with our overall corporate strategy. Communicate issues to sellers and customers ahead of arrival with alternatives.

Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff and Specialists. 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.

Work with QAs, replenishment and Logistics to maintain quality, on time delivery and service levels through good communication and produce operations. Manage local fill in vendors and assure customer satisfaction. Working with logistics to track critical inbound product and resolve local issues as they arise. Work with operations Inventory Control and QA to identify overstock and set plan to sell product quickly, at a discount if needed.

SUPERVISION

Area and Market Quality Assurance Coordinators and Supervisors

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. Project management experience preferred. Experience in the Food Service or Food Manufacturing industries strongly preferred.

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.

This role may also receive an annual incentive plan bonus. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. 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 $75,000 - $120,000. ***EOE - Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/ Age/Genetic Information /Protected Veteran/Disability Status***