Category Manager (Food Distribution) (1148843)

The Judge Group; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Excellent 401(k) match

Wellness programs

Additional employee perks

Job summary

The Judge Group in Gainesville, GA seeks a strategic Category Manager to turn food product categories into profit engines within a national distribution network.

You will shape purchasing strategy, lead a team of buyers, and directly influence margin performance and customer satisfaction with cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Finance, and Marketing.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of food purchasing experience.
• Background in wholesale food, retail foodservice distribution, or multi-unit restaurant purchasing.
• Leadership experience directing buyers.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in cheese/dairy or frozen-dessert/categories is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 4-5 Buyers.
• Evaluate product lines, programs, and pricing to identify improvement opportunities.
• Guide buyers on service levels, out-of-stocks, aged inventory, EOQ, and best practices.
• Run quarterly supplier meetings to review performance and assortment changes.
• Support a 150+ member sales team with product research, pricing, and deal negotiation.
• Own aged inventory and drive timely solutions.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and Marketing to identify growth opportunities.
• Perform additional duties to best serve the company.

Skills

Team leadership

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Fortune 500-level organization If you’re a strategic, commercially minded leader who knows how to turn product categories into profit engines, this role puts you at the center of a major food distribution network. As Category Manager, you’ll shape purchasing strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, guide a team of buyers, and directly influence margin performance and customer satisfaction.

Location: Gainesville, GA

Salary: Depends on Experience

Compensation & Benefits

• Up to $150,000 total compensation (salary + bonus) in year one
• Fortune 500-level benefits:
• Medical, dental, vision
• Excellent matching 401(k)
• Robust insurance + wellness programs
• Additional employee perks
• Real career progression across a national network

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 4-5 Buyers
• Evaluate product lines, programs, and pricing to identify improvement opportunities
• Guide buyers on service levels, out-of-stocks, aged inventory, EOQ, and best practices
• Run quarterly supplier meetings to review performance and assortment changes
• Support a 150+ member sales team with product research, pricing, and deal negotiation
• Own aged inventory and drive timely solutions
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and Marketing to identify growth opportunities
• Perform additional duties to best serve the company

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED (Associate or Bachelor’s preferred)
• 4+ years food purchasing experience
• Background in wholesale food, retail food, foodservice distribution, or multi-unit restaurant purchasing
• Leadership experience directing buyers
• It would be great if the person had experience with cheese/ dairy, or frozen- dessert / breads/ appetizers/ fries . However, they’d certainly be interested in talking to someone who has experience in other categories as well.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills

Why This Role Matters

This is category leadership with real influence. You’ll shape pricing, supplier strategy, inventory health, and customer satisfaction across a massive distribution network. If you want a role where your decisions matter and your career trajectory is upward, Gainesville is the place to make your mark.