Category Manager (Center of Plate)

US Foods•Olive Branch, TN

About The Position

The Area Center of the Plate (COP) Category Operations Manager supports and executes the implementation of US Foods category strategy across Beef, Poultry, Pork, and Seafood within a defined Area. This role involves executing recommended assortment changes, supporting local vendor relationships, and assisting sales staff with product assortment updates and merchandising goals. The position also supports local customer requirements in alignment with national strategies.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
Minimum 7 years category management experience required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required.
Working knowledge of PowerPoint is required.

Nice To Haves

Some project management experience preferred.
Experience derived from the food service or food manufacturing industries.
Protein or Center of the Plate category experience (Beef, Poultry, Pork, and/or Seafood) strongly preferred.
Ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups.
Ability to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization.
Ability to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance.
Self-directed and highly motivated.
Comfortable managing multiple priorities.
Strong business acumen.
Sound interpersonal skills.
Excellent presentation skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Teams a plus.

Responsibilities

Support and execute the Area implementation of US Foods COP category strategies across Beef, Poultry, Pork, and Seafood.
Develop implementation plans for COP category strategies customized for multiple Distribution Centers within the Area.
Ensure execution is aligned with overall US Foods category strategies, goals, and defined Area needs.
Review Area-level COP assortments to assess product penetration, identify slow or discontinued SKUs, and uncover growth opportunities.
Drive profitable sales growth within assigned COP categories across the Area.
Request and manage SKUs as needed to meet local customer requirements and final assortment decisions.
Finalize COP Area assortments, including core, complement, and exception SKUs, while reducing SKU duplication.
Manage COP SKU inventory health, including evaluating slow and dead inventory for discontinuation, mitigating excess inventory to reduce spoilage, and executing conversion strategies.
Support Area and Market sales staff with product assortment updates, COP market updates, informational inquiries, and delivery of merchandising goals.
Partner with Culinary teams to identify customer opportunities, menu trends, and targeted COP category strategies.
Facilitate product training, category education, and new product introductions for sales teams while ensuring product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy.
Work closely with internal teams, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.
Maintain lead responsibility for gathering local market intelligence, including customer feedback, competitive activity, category trends, and vendor insights.
Support major Area-specific account bids through analysis and coordination with sales and merchandising leadership.
Support and facilitate FSQA inquiries related to COP categories through appropriate procedures.
Work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues.
Ensure product and brand messaging is aligned with overall US Foods strategy.
Perform other duties as assigned.