Associate, Category Management

homechef; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off first?

Medical, dental, vision, life and disa

Paid holidays, sick time and vacation

401k program

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Home Chef is seeking an Associate Category Manager to join our procurement team in Chicago. You will research supplier capabilities, evaluate bids, and help shape sourcing strategies for perishable goods.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product specs align with quality and cost targets, while supporting supplier relationships and category goals. A four-year business degree and relevant sourcing experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• 1+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods.
• Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel.
• Experience in relationship management.
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Research the supply chain, industry structure, and potential supplier partners; present data-driven sourcing recommendations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Culinary, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, and Procurement to align on specs and address quality concerns.
• Conduct supplier discovery and draft RFP documents; analyze bids and provide pricing feedback; make sourcing recommendations to category managers.
• Maintain effective vendor communication to meet category goals and manage forecasts, quality, and fulfillment issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Relationship management

Strategic sourcing

Education

Four-year degree in business or related field

Job description

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are.

In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.

Similar to our recipes, we recognize that variety is the spice of life, and therefore, our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. We're eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chef's offerings.

Associate Category Manager

Detailed Responsibilities

Category Strategy

• Research the supply chain, industry structure, and potential supplier partners by using online tools, industry resources, and talking to suppliers
• Conduct research into supplier capabilities and product portfolios
• Create and present recommendations for sourcing strategies based on data-driven research
• Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans with our distribution/fulfillment centers

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Support the plants by improving efficiencies, manage category costs, and reducing fulfillment and cost risk within the Home Chef supply chain.
• Work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Culinary, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, Procurement) to compare supplier samples, align on product spec and troubleshoot quality concerns
• Assist in managing emergency supply shorts and use category expertise to expedite replacement products or substitutes to plant teams

Minor Sourcing Project Management

• Conduct supplier discovery, exploratory conversations, and research
• Ensure NDAs are signed and draft RFP documentation
• Analyze bids received and provide pricing feedback to suppliers
• Make sourcing recommendations to category managers

Vendor Management

• Work and communicate with supplier partners to ensure that category goals are met
• Share short-term and long-term forecasts with vendors
• Address quality and fulfillment-related issues with the vendors and make sure corrective actions are taken
• Collect required documentation from vendors to meet FSQA guidelines

Qualifications

• 1+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods
• Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel
• Experience in relationship management
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field

More About Us

Perks and Benefits

• Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

How We Work Together

We are humble team players. We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers. We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership. We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you'll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.