E2638 - Category Operations Manager

US Foods; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Short-term disability

Life insurance

Pre-tax spending accounts

Job summary

US Foods is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead and implement the division’s category strategy across multiple Distribution Centers. You will drive KPIs, support assortment updates, and collaborate with sales, culinary, and vendor teams to meet local market needs in line with national strategy.

The role requires a four-year business degree, 7+ years in category management within food service or manufacturing, and strong analytical/presentation abilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years category management experience required, ideally from food service/manufacturing.
• Ability to operate within a matrix organization with multiple groups.
• Ability to work in a team setting and drive organizational transformations.
• Provide fact-based recommendations across management levels to improve category performance.
• Self-directed, motivated with strong business acumen and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support and execute the transition of the division category strategy across the defined Area.
• Support assortment changes and vendor relationships for all DCs in the Area.
• Assist Area sales with assortment updates, inquiries and merchandising goals.
• Develop implementation plans aligned with national category strategy and Area needs.
• Drive KPIs such as sales case growth, category penetration and pricing with field teams.
• Facilitate product training and new product introductions with sales staff.
• Support FSQA inquiries for the Area and assist with major account bids.
• Communicate market conditions and weekly talking points to the sales team.

Skills

Category management

Teamwork

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support and execute the implementation of US Foods division category strategy across the defined Area. Execute recommended assortment changes and support positive local vendor relationships for all DCs within the defined Area. Support Area sales staff with product assortment updates, informational inquiries and delivery of merchandising goals for all DCs within that Area. Support all local customer requirements within the defined Area keeping in line with the national strategies coming from the Center.

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. Drive KPIs across categories (including sales case growth, category penetration, EB penetration, and TM feedback) and competitive market pricing; work with TMs to refine customer product offering, order guides and potential pricing for new accounts.

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. 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 aligned with the national strategies.

Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple markets in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report on new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement. Communicate changing market conditions and weekly talking points for the sales team and top customers.

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

Support and facilitation 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.

• EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***

SUPERVISION

None

Qualifications

Education/Training:

Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.

Work Environment

Onsite: The associate in this role is expected to perform assigned responsibilities inside a US Foods office-based environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum 7 years category management experience required, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Project management experience

This role may also receive annual incentive plan bonus.

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 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

$75,000 - $120,000

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