Strategic Category Manager: Pastry, Chocolate & Pantry

Peterson Cheese; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan (matching)

Life insurance

Job summary

Peterson Cheese is seeking a strategic Category Manager to lead pastry, chocolate, and pantry across our largest product portfolio. You will develop category strategies, drive product innovation, manage supplier partnerships, and deliver profitable growth while collaborating with Sales, FP&A, and culinary teams.

You will own category performance, negotiate agreements, and coach cross-functional teams to optimize assortment and pricing in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Product Development, Procurement, or related field.
• Direct experience within pastry, chocolate, bakery, or specialty food categories.
• Strong supplier management and negotiation experience.
• Proven analytical and financial acumen, including pricing and margin management.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that drive growth, profitability, and market leadership.
• Monitor trends, consumer preferences, and competitive activity.
• Identify assortment gaps and new product opportunities.
• Lead new product development from concept through launch.
• Partner with suppliers to develop innovative products and exclusive offerings.
• Collaborate with Sales to understand customer needs and opportunities.

Skills

Category Management

Product Development

Procurement

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Category management tools

Analytics platforms

Job description

Peterson Cheese is seeking a strategic Category Manager to lead pastry, chocolate, and pantry across our largest product portfolio. You will develop category strategies, drive product innovation, manage supplier partnerships, and deliver profitable growth while collaborating with Sales, FP&A, and culinary teams.

You will own category performance, negotiate agreements, and coach cross-functional teams to optimize assortment and pricing in a fast-paced environment.