Senior Manager Category Management

Socket.dev; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 104,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Job summary

C.H. Robinson is seeking a strategic Senior Manager Category Management to lead category strategy, supply planning, and growth initiatives within our Robinson Fresh business. You will influence cross-functional teams, manage key grower and customer relationships, and optimize category performance.

This role requires leadership, strong negotiation, and deep market expertise. You will develop divisional strategies, coach teams, and drive profitability while navigating a fast-paced environment and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 7 years buying and selling experience in fresh produce.
• Minimum 3 years leading and managing teams.
• Ability to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day category management, including communication, execution, quotes, contracts, service levels, and reporting.
• Leads innovation in packaging, varietals, and supply chain efficiencies within the category.
• Advises on transactional, promotional, and contract pricing decisions.
• Manages strategic grower relationships and pipeline for new grower/shipper prospects.
• Actively participates as the category expert in major customer meetings.
• Educates internal teams on varieties, seasonality, regions, farming practices, yields, costs, and compliance.
• Develops divisional strategy and supply plan to meet customer needs and profitability.
• Coaches and develops staff, outlines roles, and provides real-time feedback and mentoring.
• Supports diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategy

Category management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Job description

C.H. Robinson is seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Manager Category Management to lead category strategy, supply planning, and growth initiatives within our Robinson Fresh business. In this role, you will drive innovation, manage key grower and customer relationships, and leverage your market expertise to optimize category performance and profitability. You will serve as the recognized category expert, influencing cross-functional teams while solving complex supply chain challenges and delivering best-in-class customer outcomes. In this role, you will lead and develop high-performing talent, foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, and help shape the future of our fresh produce categories.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of this position consists of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversees the day-to-day management of the category, to include communication, execution, quoting and contract proposals, service level management (of customers and suppliers), and reporting

• Leads innovation within the category, differentiating our offering through packaging, varietals, supply chain efficiencies, etc. to remain relevant and competitive in the marketplace

• Leverages negotiation expertise on the buy and sell side to advise on transactional, promotional, and contract pricing decisions.

• Manages the most strategic grower relationships, working to continually improve performance of the category through consistent cadence of grower reviews

• Responsible to actively manage a pipeline of new grower/shipper prospects to onboard and customer targets identified in partnership with sales counterparts

• Participates as the divisional category expert in the largest opportunity customer meetings

• Consistently and effectively educates internal teams about all aspects of the category: varieties, seasonality, growing regions, farming practices and influence yields, quality, supply chain cost components, regulatory compliance, etc.

• Develops the divisional strategy and supply plan to meet the requirements of the customer base and enable the growth and profitability in the category

• Provides daily coaching and performance management. Outlines employee role accountabilities and expectations; manages performance to drive the right behaviors and improve results and provides useful real-time coaching, development activities and stretch assignments; supports employees with problem resolution

• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned according to the team and/or country specific requirements

Talent Management:

• Partners with Talent Acquisition to establish a pipeline, recruit, select, and onboard qualified and diverse talent

• Manages annual merit and equity programs for assigned team to align compensation with performance results

• Outlines employee role accountabilities and expectations; manages performance to drive the right behaviors and improve results and provides useful real-time coaching, feedback, and mentoring, development activities and stretch assignments; supports employees with problem resolution

• Encourages employee feedback through formal and informal channels. Work with next level manager to acknowledge and take action on feedback to drive a trusting culture of open two-way communication, inclusivity, collaboration and continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Minimum 7 years buying and selling experience in fresh produce industry

• Minimum 3 years of leading and managing team(s)

• Ability to travel up to 50% (domestically and internationally)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university

• Experience across multiple categories or complex supply chains

• Previous supervisory experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs

• Recognized as a category expert in the industry

• Solid financial acumen with deep knowledge of category financials

• Excellent relationship building skills with customers, growers, and internal teams

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Skilled negotiator with growers and customers

• Demonstrated ability to mentor, lead, and develop others

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to make data-driven decisions

• Strategic and innovative mindset, able to develop and drive initiatives from conception to implementation

• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment, sometimes out of normal business hours

• Attention to detail with high standards for work; a customer service mindset

• Values a diverse and inclusive work environment

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees performing this role.

We will review applications for this role on an ongoing basis and encourage all interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience.

Compensation Range

$103,700.00 - $175,000.00

The base pay range displayed on the job posting reflects the minimum and maximum base pay for this specific location. Your individual base pay within this range is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base pay only and do not include additional variable compensation.

Questioning if you meet the mark? Studies have shown that some individuals may be less likely to apply unless they match the job description exactly. Here at C.H. Robinson, we’re building an inclusive workplace where all employees feel they belong. If this position excites you, we welcome you to apply whether you check all the preferred qualifications or just a few. You may just be our next great fit!

Equal Opportunity

C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace and performance culture that reflects the strengths of our worldwide marketplace. We value unique experiences and diverse backgrounds of our people within our company, our business relationships, and our communities. We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel welcomed, valued and respected.

EOE\Disabled\Veteran

Benefits

Your Health, Wealth and Self

Your total wellbeing is the foundation of our business, and our benefits support your financial, family and personal goals. We provide the top-tier benefits that matter to you most, including:

• Three medical plans which include

• • Prescription drug coverage

  • Enhanced Fertility benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health Savings Account (including employer contribution)

• Dental and Vision

• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• Paid observed holidays

• 2 paid floating holidays for U.S. hourly employees

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) offered to U.S. salaried employees — no accruals and no caps. Paid Time Off (PTO) offered to all other employees in the U.S. and Canada

• Paid parental leave

• Paid time off to volunteer in your community

• Charitable Giving Match Program

• 401(k) with 6% company matching

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Plus a broad range of career development, networking, and team-building opportunities

Learn more about our benefit offerings on our BENEFITS & WELLBEING page