Senior Category Manager-Grocery

Core-Mark; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

401K Employer Matching

Education Assistance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Performance Food Group is seeking a dedicated Purchasing/Inventory Manager to oversee customer relations, procurement, and financial management for assigned product categories. You will coordinate buying, selling and merchandising with vendors and distributors to drive profitability and excellent in-stock performance across multiple locations.

The role interfaces with sales, marketing, accounting, warehousing, and logistics teams, demanding strong negotiation and leadership skills to optimize

Qualifications

• Required Education: High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent Experience
• Required Experience: 3-5 years Foodservice distribution and purchasing experience
• Preferred: Bachelor's in Business management, marketing or related area
• 5-7 years Foodservice distribution and purchasing management experience

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the buying, selling, and merchandising efforts between vendors and the distributor to ensure high in-stock percentages, fast inventory turns, and strong profitability.
• Interface heavily with sales, marketing, accounting, warehousing, transportation, and vendor communities.
• Purchasing & Inventory: Maintain optimal inventory levels, minimize dead or slow-moving stock, and monitor over-committed or urgent items.
• Negotiate buy brackets, inbound freight rates, cash discounts, extended terms, and earned income/bill backs.
• Ensure strict pricing accuracy, handle customer audits, and review sales-below-cost reports.
• Supervise, coach, and train teams of buyers or category analysts depending on the facility or corporate structure.
• Assist sales representatives and multi-unit account managers with product knowledge, custom solutions, and new supplier opportunities

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor relations

Purchasing

Inventory management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Job description

Company Description:

Performance Foodservice, PFG's broadline distributor, maintains a unique relationship with a variety of local customers, including independent restaurants and hotels, healthcare facilities, schools, and quick-service eateries. A team of sales reps, chefs, consultants, and other experts builds close relationships with customers - providing advice on improving operations, menu development, product selection, and operational strategies. The Performance team delivers delicious food but also goes above and beyond to help independent restaurant owners achieve their dreams.

Job Description:

On-site (in the office) position 5 days per week

We Deliver the Goods:

Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more

Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America's food distribution system

Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect

Position Summary -

Manage the customer relations, purchasing, and financial management functions related to assigned product category in order to achieve maximum profits and customer satisfaction. Coordinate the buying, selling, and merchandising efforts of the vendor and distributor, resulting in satisfied customers, profitable sales and above average in-stock percentages, inventory turns, and days accounts payable outstanding. Interfaces with customers, vendors, management, warehouse personnel, and the Accounting, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Transportation, Information Services, Inbound Freight Traffic personnel, Vice President, Purchasing and other Purchasing personnel. Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and performs any duty assigned to best serve the company.

Position Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the buying, selling, and merchandising efforts between vendors and the distributor to ensure high in-stock percentages, fast inventory turns, and strong profitability.
• Interface heavily with sales, marketing, accounting, warehousing, transportation, and vendor communities.
• Purchasing & Inventory: Maintain optimal inventory levels, minimize dead or slow-moving stock, and monitor over-committed or urgent items.
• Negotiate buy brackets, inbound freight rates, cash discounts, extended terms, and earned income/bill backs.
• Ensure strict pricing accuracy, handle customer audits, and review sales-below-cost reports.
• Supervise, coach, and train teams of buyers or category analysts depending on the facility or corporate structure.
• Assist sales representatives and multi-unit account managers with product knowledge, custom solutions, and new supplier opportunities.

Benefits:

Click Here for Benefits Information

Qualifications:

Required Education: High School Diploma/GED or Equivalent Experience

Required Experience: 3-5 years Foodservice distribution and purchasing experience

Preferred qualifications:

Bachelors: Business management, marketing or related area.

5-7 years Foodservice distribution and purchasing management experience.

EEO Statement:

Performance Food Group and/or its subsidiaries (individually or collectively, the "Company") provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Please click on the following links to review: (1) our EEO Policy; (2) the "EEO is the Law" poster and supplement; and (3) the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.