Category Operations Mgr, Charlotte NC Area

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pre-tax spending accounts

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Employee stock purchase plan

Life insurance

Job summary

US Foods, Inc. in Charlotte, NC seeks a seasoned Category Manager to lead local assortment strategy for multiple Distribution Centers. You will translate the national category plan into Area plans, optimize SKUs, and drive profitable growth.

This role requires 7+ years in category management within food service or manufacturing, strong data analysis, and the ability to work across functions. You’ll train teams and support supplier and QA processes.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience.
• Minimum 7 years category management experience, ideally in food service or food manufacturing.
• Ability to operate in a matrix organization and drive transformations.
• Strong business acumen, interpersonal skills, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel; PowerPoint knowledge required; Access a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop implementation plan for category strategy across multiple DCs.
• Review Area assortment, manage DWOs, and optimize SKUs for growth.
• Gather local market data and report opportunities to leadership.
• Facilitate product trainings with DSS, specialists, and sales staff.
• Support FSQA inquiries and coordinate with Region on vendor issues.

Skills

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Education

Four-year college degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Access (MS Access)

Job description

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.

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

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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