Assistant Category Manager

KeHE Distributors, LLC•Naperville, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Requirements

College Diploma or equivalent work experience.
Minimum one (1) years’ experience in Category Management, administration or sales management within the food industry.
Proficient with Word, Excel (advanced level), and PowerPoint software.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate findings and recommendations in writing to internal audiences as well as external manufacturers, brokers and KeHE account managers.
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced business environment.
Capacity to learn and process quickly.
Possess a sense of urgency and attention to accuracy and detail.
Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and often with minimal direction or time conflicting pressures.

Nice To Haves

Strong analytical skills.
Experience with Power BI and KeHE Connect.
Exceptional time management and project management skills.
Willingness to travel domestically, occasionally over weekends (about 10-15%).

Responsibilities

Assist the category management team in achieving their goals and objectives and maintaining KeHE’s reputation as a best-in-class distributor.
Work with several data platforms including Power BI and KeHE Connect to generate reports regarding sales, unit movement, margin, credits, points of distribution, etc. by vendor, brand and SKU, to assist Category Managers with their decisions.
Work collaboratively with various departments within KeHE to obtain needed information and provide needed output.
Perform ad-hoc analyses and projects requested by the Category Managers or the Executive Director.
Analyze vendor, brand, and SKU performance, promotional programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
Communicate Vendor and Brand profitability information to Category Managers, and as needed to Account Managers.
Manage and update reports regarding new vendors, SKU productivity, sales performance, roadmaps, past due inventory, etc.
Assist with bottle deposits and beverage taxes.
Complete ad-hoc requests and special projects in a timely and accurate fashion.
Update training manuals and guides for category managers and vendors.
Work as a team player for all planning and implementation of collective projects such as: KeHE trade shows and pavilions, external trade shows (e.g. Expo West, Fancy Food), KeHE publications, webinars, and vendor programs.
Work collegially and productively with relevant headquarter teams [e.g., marketing, growth solutions, supply chain (replenishment), business analysis, sales enablement, and sales] to achieve quick traction for new products, programs, and continuous sales growth for existing product lines.
Manage administrative aspects of assigned tasks to assist Category Managers in achieving shared goals and objectives.
Seek opportunities to improve current processes and procedures.
Follow established company policies and procedures in achieving accountabilities.