Area Category Operations Manager

US Foods•Bridgeport, NJ

21h•$75,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Area Category Operations Manager supports and executes US Foods’ produce category strategy across a defined area, implementing the strategy across multiple distribution centers while addressing local customer and market needs. The role recommends assortment changes, supports local vendor relationships, owns produce assortment updates and inquiries, and works with area sales leaders, specialists, and customer support teams to develop key accounts. Local requirements are addressed in alignment with strategies set by the Center. The manager is responsible for profitable sales growth in assigned categories, market intelligence and assortment decisions, produce communications and quality objectives, and coordination with corporate teams, vendors, sales, culinary, FSQA, replenishment, logistics, inventory control, and quality assurance. The role also supervises Area and Market Quality Assurance Coordinators and Supervisors. An annual incentive plan bonus may be available.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in business or a related field, or equivalent field experience.
At least 7 years of category management experience.
Ability to work effectively across multiple groups in a matrix organization.
Ability to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformation, and support change management.
Ability to provide fact-based recommendations across management levels and gain support for improvements in category performance.
Self-directed and highly motivated, with strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Working knowledge of PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Project management experience.
Experience in the food service or food manufacturing industries.

Responsibilities

Develop and own implementation plans for area produce category and operational strategies across multiple distribution centers, aligned with US Foods’ overall strategy and area needs.
Review product assortment, penetration, slow- or non-moving products, duplication, and growth opportunities; finalize area assortment, core complement, and exception SKUs.
Drive profitable sales growth in assigned categories while meeting local customer needs and aligning assortment with national strategies.
Gather and report local market data and trends from culinary teams, sales staff, and vendors, including product opportunities and competitor information.
Provide weekly produce communications to the sales team; implement produce strategy with leadership and ensure quality objectives are met.
Coordinate with corporate teams on delayed trucks and potentially shorted items; communicate market needs, issues, and alternatives to sellers and customers ahead of arrival.
Facilitate product training and new product introductions with DSS, specialists, and sales staff, ensuring product and brand messaging aligns with US Foods’ strategy.
Work with the culinary team to plan meetings that identify account and category opportunities.
Support area FSQA inquiries through appropriate procedures and coordinate with the Region team on national or regional vendor issues.
Analyze and support major area-specific account bids, coordinate customer onboarding, and keep sales staff informed about category strategy.
Work with quality assurance, replenishment, and logistics teams to maintain product quality, on-time delivery, and service levels.
Manage local fill-in vendors and support customer satisfaction; track critical inbound product with logistics and resolve local issues.
Work with operations, inventory control, and quality assurance to identify overstock and establish plans to sell products quickly, discounting when needed.
Supervise Area and Market Quality Assurance Coordinators and Supervisors.