Category Management Professional - Produce

Unipro Foodservice Inc And Subsidiaries; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel up to 15%

Job summary

UniPro Foodservice, Inc. is seeking a Category Management Professional – Produce to lead a substantial produce portfolio for a national distributor network. This hands-on role demands market-moving leadership, real-time monitoring of seasonal opportunities, and strong cross-functional collaboration with Members and suppliers.

You will own category performance, drive exclusive branded sales, and guide pricing strategies across the U.S. distribution footprint.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on, produce experience in a market-facing, commercial role.
• Deep working knowledge of produce markets, regionality, and seasonality.
• Experience with buying groups, foodservice distribution, or corporate category management is a plus.
• Excellent phone/email communication and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical mindset to turn market signals into actionable strategies.
• Gold stars for leadership in distribution or sector-specific portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Own the category and achieve Member earning expectations and volume targets.
• Track results and provide pricing guidance.
• Monitor market opportunities in real time and incorporate seasonality.
• Host a market call to inform Members about seasonal transitions.
• Create exclusive branded items with premier growers/packers to drive sales.
• Collaborate with Member Development, Finance, Customer Service, and Supplier-Partners to align strategy.
• Grow the Produce Group program through Member recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Produce knowledge

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Supplier relations

Market cadence

Budget awareness

Job description

Category Management Professional – ProduceWhere the produce market meets your superpower.Note on Title & Compensation: The title and salary for this role will be finalized based on the selected candidate's experience, skill set, and qualifications. This posting reflects the scope of responsibilities; final leveling and compensation will be determined during the offer stage. Similar titles could include; Category Manager, Sr. Category Manager, Category Director - Produce, etc. Location: Atlanta, GA (hybrid) - remote considered for the right rockstar Company: UniPro Foodservice, Inc. Team: Category Management Travel: <15%You’ve made money managing a Distributor’s produce category -understanding contracts, growing seasons, product handling, problem solving, and enhancing margin. Are you ready to scale that expertise broader and help hundreds of foodservice distributors improve their earnings and drive sales in the produce category?Then pull up a chair - we saved you a seat.UniPro Foodservice is looking for a Category Management Professional – Produce to lead the charge on a substantial produce portfolio supported by independent foodservice, specialty, and retail distributors that spans the U.S and beyond. This isn't a “watch the market and place a purchase order” job. This is a hands-on, phone-ringing, market-moving, Member-Distributor serving, consultative, leadership seat where speed, communication, and execution matters.And we think you might just be the one to own it. What You'll Actually Do (Spoiler: A Lot, And It's Fun)Own the category. Attain Member earning expectations and volume targets. Track results. Make the numbers sing.Guide the market changes like a pro. Monitor produce opportunities in real time. Layer in seasonality and transition history.Be the translator. Turn market chaos into a clear, confident buying strategy and pricing guidance - the kind Members actually act upon.Lead the huddle. You'll host a market call that Members rely upon to know seasonal transitions and make smart purchasing decisions.Create Exclusive Branded Items. Work alongside the premier growers and packers to drive Exclusive Branded sales growth through penetration with existing partnerships and building new partnerships.Play well with others. Partner with Member Development, Finance, Customer Service, and Supplier-Partners so strategy and execution line up.Prime growing season year-round. Cultivate and grow the overall Produce Group program via Member recruitment and onboarding. What Success Looks Like in Year OneBy month six, you've become the trusted voice Members call. Your collaborative market cadence is something Members depend upon. Program participation is up. Member returns are growing. And when volatility hits - because it always does - your guidance is crisp, your communication is clear, and the Members feel taken care of. What You Bring to the TableThe non-negotiables:5+ years of hands-on, produce experience in a market-facing, commercial role. You've lived this.Deep working knowledge of produce markets, regionality, and seasonality.Bonus credibility points for time spent in foodservice distribution, service center ops, high-velocity merchandising, buying groups, or corporate category management.Real chops in Supplier relations and program execution that move the needle.A high-frequency communicator's instinct - you build trust on the phone, in email, and across the table.An analytical brain that can turn market signals into smart action.Extra gold stars for:Buying group, corporate category management, or distribution leadership with a produce and/or refrigerated products portfolio.A track record of running a structured market cadence (calls, recaps, alerts) that people genuinely value.Comfort with budgets and financial targets in a high-volume world. Why This Role Is SpecialThis is a high-visibility national desk with tremendous reach. You'll work alongside senior leadership, build deep relationships with Members and Suppliers, and grow into broader market ownership and strategic responsibility over time. Your title and level will flex to match what you bring - we're hiring the person, not filling a slot.If you're a high-performing, produce professional looking for your next big seat - one with real stakes, real impact, and real runway - then this might be exactly the move you've been waiting for.Ready to make your mark on the produce market?Let's talk!