Area Category Operations Manager

US Foods, Inc.; Bridgeport (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pre-tax spending accounts

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Short-term and long-term disability

Employee stock purchase plan

Life insurance

Annual incentive plan bonus

Job summary

US Foods, Inc. is seeking a qualified professional to implement the Area produce category strategy across multiple Distribution Centers.

You will work with Area sales leaders, specialists, and the culinary team to drive assortment updates and achieve produce goals for all markets within the Area. The role requires 7+ years of category management experience, strong presentation skills, and the ability to operate within a matrix organization.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
• Minimum 7 years category management experience required. Project management experience preferred.
• Must possess the ability to operate within a matrix organization, working with multiple groups, drive transformations and change management. Strong business acumen, interpersonal and presentation skills. Proficiency in Word and Excel, PowerPoint knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Own implementation plan for Area produce category and operational strategies across multiple DCs.
• Review Area product assortment and gauge penetration; identify growth opportunities.
• Drive profitable sales growth within assigned categories and align with national strategies.
• Gather market data from culinary, sales, and vendor partners; report opportunities.
• Coordinate training and onboarding for new products with DSS, Specialists, and sales staff.

Skills

Category management

Project management

Communication skills

Business acumen

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Four-year college degree in business or related field

Job description

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITEJoin 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.SUPERVISIONArea and Market Quality Assurance Coordinators and SupervisorsQUALIFICATIONSEducation/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***