Associate, Category Management

Home Chef • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for building a national category strategy by researching suppliers, performing RFPs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and also executing that strategy at the plant level.

Requirements

• 1+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods
• Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel
• Experience in relationship management
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field

Responsibilities

• Research the supply chain, industry structure, and potential supplier partners by using online tools, industry resources, and talking to suppliers
• Conduct research into supplier capabilities and product portfolios
• Create and present recommendations for sourcing strategies based on data-driven research
• Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans with our distribution/fulfillment centers
• Support the plants by improving efficiencies, manage category costs, and reducing fulfillment and cost risk within the Home Chef supply chain.
• Work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Culinary, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, Procurement) to compare supplier samples, align on product spec and troubleshoot quality concerns
• Assist in managing emergency supply shorts and use category expertise to expedite replacement products or substitutes to plant teams
• Conduct supplier discovery, exploratory conversations, and research
• Ensure NDAs are signed and draft RFP documentation
• Analyze bids received and provide pricing feedback to suppliers
• Make sourcing recommendations to category managers
• Work and communicate with supplier partners to ensure that category goals are met
• Share short-term and long-term forecasts with vendors
• Address quality and fulfillment-related issues with the vendors and make sure corrective actions are taken
• Collect required documentation from vendors to meet FSQA guidelines

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level