Fresh Produce Sourcing Manager

Kroger; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Tuition reimbursement

Valuable associate discounts

Associate discounts

Job summary

A leading grocery retailer located in Cincinnati is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Category Manager to optimize supplier relationships and drive category strategies. This role involves overseeing procurement processes, leading sourcing activities, and executing complex contracts. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience. Join a company that values community and diversity while offering comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience within the pertinent category.
• Ability to build impactful relationships with internal clients.
• Oral and written communication skills in a complex business environment.
• Oral and written communication skills to formulate strategies in a complex business environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the senior manager in defining and reviewing procurement strategy.
• Negotiate and execute complex contracts with suppliers.
• Supervise and coach direct reports on performance.
• Perform periodic financial reviews to assess category financial performance with the senior manager.
• Identify potential suppliers to extend payment terms, improve cash conversion cycle, and enhance gross margin.
• Implement supplier finance and discount programs with a focus on cash flow, interest payable, and working capital.
• Strategic Sourcing: coordinate sourcing activities and manage analysts to achieve category goals.
• Coordinate sourcing strategy review and ensure that strategy documents are updated.
• Support the creation, execution, and communication of category management strategy for pertinent category.

Skills

Relationship Building

Advanced Microsoft Office skills

Communication Skills

Sourcing events

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Retail, CPG

MBA or Master’s degree

CPM/CPSM/CSCP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Strategic Sourcing Category Manager, Fresh

Job Description

Utilize category specific expertise to work with business stakeholders to determine category strategy, optimize supplier base, conduct sourcing events, negotiate and support contract execution. Achieve savings targets and reducing spend while working with business stakeholders to meet business needs. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Category Management
• Support the senior manager in defining and reviewing procurement strategy and project pipeline
• Perform periodic financial reviews to assess category financial performance with the senior manager
• Identify potential suppliers to extend payment terms, improve cash conversion cycle, and enhance gross margin
• Implement supplier finance and discount programs with a focus on cash flow, interest payable, and working capital
• Strategic Sourcing
• Coordinate sourcing activities and manage analysts to achieve category goals
• Coordinate sourcing strategy review and ensure that strategy documents are updated
• Support the creation, execution, and communication of category management strategy for pertinent category
• Drive internal compliance with policies, procedures, strategies, and guidelines on an ongoing basis
• Contract Management
• Negotiate and execute highly complex and visible contracts with suppliers
• Coordinate identified improvement opportunities, risk/mitigation strategies and develop action plans
• Lead execution of SRM activities to create value, drive continuous improvement, and realize savings
• Lead business relationships with suppliers, foster long-term involvement and creating value
• Oversee supplier qualification with support of the business and develop a transition plan and execution of supply agreement
• Procurement Process
• Develop, deepen and maintain trusted and collaborative relationships with business partners to ensure the organization is seen as a valued partner and is involved in business decisions
• Oversee procurement process metrics, insights and proposed actions to define implementation plan
• Maintain knowledge of other initiatives in Kroger that may affect the category performance
• Talent Management
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties: complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Create an effective work environment by developing a common vision, communicating of clear objectives, fostering teamwork, recognizing performance, providing on the job coaching
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Retail, CPG, or related disciplines
• 5 years’ experience within the pertinent category
• Ability to build impactful relationship with internal clients, key influencers to effectively execute the work
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Vizio)
• Oral and written communication skills to formulate strategies in a complex business environment

Desired

• MBA or Master’s degree
• CPM/CPSM, CSCP or equivalent certification
• 5 years’ experience in Supply Chain or Procurement
• 3 years of leading a sourcing team

Job Info

• Job Identification 176540
• Job Category Accounting/Finance
• Posting Date 03/05/2026, 06:53 PM
• Locations 221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, US (On-site)

Benefits

• The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more.
• Healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our Continuing Education program.
• Growth opportunities through training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We work to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities and each other, with food at the heart of it all. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited. Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!