Category Manager - Dairy

Vaco Recruiter Services; Monrovia (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco Recruiter Services is seeking a Category Manager to lead the product category strategy in the Greater Pasadena Area. This onsite role focuses on category ownership, vendor strategy, pricing, inventory, and performance.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in category management within grocery/retail or related consumer products and a track record in sourcing new food products, vendor negotiations, and commodity pricing analysis.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in category management, buying, sourcing, procurement or merchandising within grocery/retail or related consumer products environment.
• Dairy, refrigerated, fresh, or perishable food category experience strongly preferred.
• Strong experience sourcing and evaluating new food products.
• Demonstrated vendor management and negotiation experience; understanding of commodity markets and retail math.

Responsibilities

• Own category strategy across product selection, value, vendor relationships, fulfillment, negotiations, and inventory quality.
• Partner with merchandising leadership to establish and achieve sales, margin, SKU, and unit targets.
• Stay informed on category trends, commodity pricing, market conditions, production capacity, and emerging products.
• Manage vendor relationships and supply chain performance, ensuring negotiated agreements, quality standards, and fulfillment expectations are met.
• Source, evaluate, and introduce new products while strengthening and diversifying the vendor base.
• Collaborate with buyers and product teams to support fill rates, inventory quality, and fulfillment goals.
• Evaluate product quality, pricing, customer value, and overall category performance.
• Build relationships with manufacturers and vendors while leading negotiations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with merchandising, product development, operations, and other teams.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Communication

Sourcing

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Category Manager

Location: Greater Pasadena Area, CA

Schedule: Onsite, 5 days per week

Compensation: $125,000–$145,000 base salary

Department: Merchandising

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a nationally recognized, food-focused retail organization to hire an experienced Category Manager. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key product category and play an integral role in product selection, sourcing, vendor strategy, pricing, inventory, and overall category performance.

The ideal candidate brings strong grocery, food, or consumer product category management experience and has a genuine passion for identifying unique products and delivering value to the customer.

Responsibilities

• Own category strategy across product selection, value, vendor relationships, fulfillment, negotiations, and inventory quality
• Partner with merchandising leadership to establish and achieve sales, margin, SKU, and unit targets
• Stay closely informed on category trends, commodity pricing, market conditions, production capacity, and emerging products
• Manage vendor relationships and supply chain performance, ensuring negotiated agreements, quality standards, and fulfillment expectations are met
• Source, evaluate, and introduce new products while identifying opportunities to strengthen and diversify the vendor base
• Partner with buyers and broader product teams to support fill rates, inventory quality, and fulfillment goals
• Evaluate product quality, pricing, customer value, and overall category performance
• Build strong relationships with manufacturers and vendors while leading negotiations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with merchandising, product development, operations, and other internal teams

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in category management, buying, sourcing, procurement, or merchandising within grocery, food, retail, or a related consumer products environment
• Dairy, refrigerated, fresh, or perishable food category experience strongly preferred
• Strong experience sourcing and evaluating new food products
• Demonstrated vendor management and negotiation experienceUnderstanding of commodity markets, pricing, margins, and retail-based mathematics
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing retail environment
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.