Product Category Specialist

Wismettac Asian Foods Inc; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

401(k) with company matching

19 days of paid time off

Wellness program and EAP assistance

Job summary

Wismettac Asian Foods Inc in California is seeking a Product Category Specialist to coordinate and evaluate product lines for the Product Management Department. The role focuses on purchasing food products and supplies, with daily interaction across Sales, Managers, Vendors, and affiliates.

The specialist will manage purchases/expediting, inventory, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance, supporting private-brand development and product assortment decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience procuring food products and supplies for production environments.
• Ability to develop pricing structures using cost estimates and margins.
• Knowledge of vendor selection, contract administration, and negotiation.
• Understanding of government regulations impacting purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Procuring products, components, and services per policies and controls.
• Develop pricing with Managers using current cost estimates and margins.
• Develop private brand products and review pricing strategies for profitability.
• Identify vendors, negotiate terms, and monitor contract compliance.
• Track purchases, vendor quality, and maintain vendor data.
• Forecast market trends and assist in demand planning and cost reduction.
• Coordinate shipments and resolve delivery issues.
• Prepare reports for PMD, branches, and affiliates.

Skills

Negotiation

Market analysis

Vendor management

Forecasting

Sales coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or business

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

Inventory management software

Job description

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Job Summary: The Product Category Specialist is responsible for coordinating, developing, and evaluating product lines for the Product Management Department (PMD). The Product Category Specialist will be accountable for the purchasing of food products and supplies as needed for the Company. This position will report to the Manager and will have daily contact with Sales personnel, Managers, Branch Managers, Manufacturers, and Vendors. The Product Category Specialist will be responsible for purchases/ expediting of products, and inventory, supporting negotiations of contracts, and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for procuring products, components, and services required for production following established policies and controls and accepted Wismettac practices.
• Develop product pricing structure with Product Category Assistant Manager/ Manager using current cost estimates, margin, and commission guidelines provided by management.
• Responsible for the development of private brand products for the Company.
• Review pricing strategies to ensure company profitability and competition in the marketplace. Perform periodic margin analysis.
• Utilize market information and perform necessary analysis to make recommendations to the manager to adjust product offerings based on products and programs found in the marketplace.
• Identifies and selects vendors to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices and accept terms on behalf of the company. Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Gather data, monitor, and forecast on marketing and sales trends on customers, competitors, and market conditions by going out on sales shadowing with sales employees and responsible for the Company’s figures (i.e. sales and gross profit) depending on assigned categories.
• Prepare reports and submit them to department managers, branch managers, and Wismettac affiliates including but not limited to Japan and China.
• Identifies and selects vendors to procure Wismettac commodities, meeting criteria such as price (negotiate, renegotiate), quantity, quality, and contract administration.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
• Writes and distributes complex and technical bids or requests for proposals; receives and analyzes bids, quotes, and proposals, and awards the contract based on the company approval process.
• Responsible for tracking purchases, monitoring vendor quality, and maintaining a current database of vendor information.
• The Product Category Specialist will serve as one of the most skilled employees and is usually tasked to help manage the Product Category Assistant/ office clerk on schedules and assignments.
• Evaluates and analyzes purchasing trend and price trend to identify forecasting demand and minimize purchasing costs.
• Other duties assigned by PMD management.

Benefits*: Wismettac offers competitive benefits, which include:

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) with company matching
• 19 days of paid time off
• Wellness program and EAP assistance
• and much more!

*Most benefits require employee contribution

Pre-employment Drug testing is required.
Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.