Category Operations Manager

US Foods; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Annual incentive plan bonus

Job summary

US Foods is seeking an experienced Category Manager for Charlotte, NC to develop and implement category plans across multiple Distribution Centers. You will assess local assortments, identify growth and SKU rationalizations, and ensure alignment with national strategy.

Ideal candidates hold a four-year degree with 7+ years of category management experience in food service or manufacturing, and possess strong analytics, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Must have a four-year college degree in business or related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years category management experience; project management preferred in food service/manufacturing sectors.
• Ability to work in a matrix organization with multiple groups and stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen, interpersonal and presentation skills. Proficient in Word/Excel; PowerPoint knowledge required; Access a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop implementation plan for category strategy for multiple Distribution Centers.
• Review Area product assortment; identify growth opportunities and slow SKUs; align with national strategy.
• Gather local market data and report new product opportunities and competitor data.
• Train on products and introductions with DSS, Specialists, and sales staff; ensure alignment with US Foods strategy.
• Support FSQA inquiries and advise on national/regional vendor issues; assist with account bids.

Skills

Business acumen

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-directed

Education

Four-year college degree in business or related field or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Job description

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE

Join Our Community of Food People!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs.

Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies.

Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs.

Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.

Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.

SUPERVISION

None

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: Regional, Area and Distribution Center staff, up to and including members of the leadership team.

External: Customers, vendors, suppliers and all national / local food brokers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training: Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.

Related Experience: Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required, working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.

This role may also receive annual incentive plan bonus.

BENEFITS

Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.

COMPENSATION

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $70,000 - $115,000.

• EOE– Race/Color/Religion/Sex/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***