Category Manager – Food Service

Vizient; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 77,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Vizient in Irving, Texas seeks a category expert to manage a portfolio of foodservice products and services for internal and external stakeholders. You will drive RFP strategy, negotiate with suppliers, and develop agreements to improve cost performance and operational efficiency.

You will build category insights, lead business reviews, and foster strong client and supplier relationships. A relevant degree plus 2+ years of experience in GPOs or healthcare sourcing are preferred, with travel

Qualifications

• Relevant degree preferred.
• 2+ years of relevant experience required.
• Experience with foodservice GPOs preferred.
• Strategic sourcing or category management experience within a healthcare environment preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to varied audiences.
• Financial acumen with experience managing expense and revenue considerations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end Request for Proposal (RFP) strategy and execution for assigned portfolios, including bid strategy development, RFP creation, supplier negotiations, and agreement implementation.
• Develop deep understanding of assigned foodservice categories, suppliers, and industry trends through market research and continuous learning.
• Provide category expertise and insights to internal teams and external clients.
• Develop and manage relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure satisfaction through timely communication and issue resolution.
• Drive category strategy to optimize cost, quality, and operational value for clients.
• Create category-specific collateral to share insights, best practices, and performance outcomes.
• Lead periodic business reviews and strategic planning meetings with suppliers, with leadership support.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Communication skills

Financial acumen

Travel willingness

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary

In this role, you will serve as the category expert for an assigned portfolio of foodservice products and services for internal and external stakeholders. You will manage a competitive contract portfolio by driving the strategy and development of agreements that help clients elevate supply cost performance and achieve operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end Request for Proposal (RFP) strategy and execution for assigned portfolios, including bid strategy development, RFP creation, supplier negotiations, and agreement implementation.
• Develop deep understanding of assigned foodservice categories, suppliers, and industry trends through market research and continuous learning.
• Provide category expertise and insights to internal teams and external clients.
• Develop and manage relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure satisfaction through timely communication and issue resolution.
• Drive category strategy to optimize cost, quality, and operational value for clients.
• Create category-specific collateral to share insights, best practices, and performance outcomes.
• Lead periodic business reviews and strategic planning meetings with suppliers, with leadership support.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree preferred.
• 2 or more years of relevant experience required.
• Experience with foodservice group purchasing organizations (GPO’s) preferred.
• Strategic sourcing or category management experience within a healthcare environment preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to varied audiences.
• Financial acumen with experience managing expense and revenue considerations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Willingness to travel.

Estimated Hiring Range: At Vizient, we consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current salary range for this role is $77,400.00 to $135,400.00. This position is also incentive eligible. Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here: http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers