Category Manager - Poultry

HOLLY POULTRY • Baltimore, MD

7d • $130,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

State Street Poultry & Provisions, a Holly Poultry company, has been providing meat to the Baltimore area for more than 60 years. Today, Holly Poultry's geographic reach has expanded across the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast, selling to a wide variety of customers from small intercity grocery stores to national restaurant chains and food service distributors. BE PART OF OUR TOMORROW! The Category Manager is responsible for managing the protein category across the State Street Division, including beef, poultry, pork, seafood, and other protein products as applicable. This position will develop and execute category strategies that support sales growth, profitability, product quality, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction. The Category Manager will work closely with Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and suppliers to ensure the division has the right products, at the right cost, quality, and availability to meet customer needs.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, category management, merchandising, sales, or procurement, preferably within food distribution or the protein industry.
• Strong knowledge of protein products, suppliers, pricing, and market dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, including the ability to understand cost, margin, pricing, and profitability.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business reporting tools.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Operations, Finance, Purchasing, and senior leadership.
• Experience with foodservice distribution is required.
• Candidates must successfully pass post-offer/pre-employment drug test, and background screen.

Nice To Haves

• Success will be measured by the Category Manager's ability to grow the protein category while improving profitability, supplier performance, product availability, and customer satisfaction.
• The ideal candidate will combine strong protein industry knowledge with sound business judgment and the ability to turn market and purchasing information into actionable opportunities for the State Street Division.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall protein category strategy for the State Street Division, with a focus on sales growth, profitability, customer retention, and market competitiveness.
• Partner closely with the Sales team, including participating in regular ride-alongs, customer visits, and sales meetings to understand customer needs, identify opportunities, and support profitable growth.
• Provide pricing guidance and recommendations to the Sales team based on market conditions, product costs, competitive positioning, customer requirements, and desired gross profit.
• Partner with Sales to identify opportunities to build and improve customer GP through pricing, product mix, cost management, value-added products, and strategic selling.
• Develop and maintain accurate category forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, market trends, customer demand, commodity conditions, and supplier information.
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with vendors and suppliers to improve pricing, service, quality, availability, and overall supplier performance.
• Lead and support vendor negotiations to secure competitive costs, favorable terms, rebates, promotions, freight arrangements, and other programs that improve profitability.
• Monitor commodity markets, industry trends, supply conditions, and competitive activity and proactively communicate relevant changes and opportunities to Sales and leadership.
• Analyze sales, purchasing, margin, inventory, and product movement data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for growth and improved profitability.
• Identify opportunities for new products, alternative sources, substitutions, and product assortment changes that improve customer value, margins, and product availability.
• Work with vendors and internal teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels and minimize out-of-stocks, excess inventory, product loss, and obsolete inventory.
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to develop customer-specific protein strategies that balance customer needs, competitive pricing, product availability, and company profitability.
• Support the Sales team with product knowledge, market intelligence, pricing trends, vendor updates, and category expertise.
• Coordinate promotions, special buys, vendor programs, and other opportunities that support sales growth and gross profit improvement.
• Monitor vendor performance and address issues related to quality, delivery, fill rates, pricing, service, and product consistency.
• Maintain accurate product, cost, pricing, specification, and supplier information within company systems.
• Partner with Finance to monitor category and customer-level gross profit, pricing performance, and overall financial results.
• Regularly communicate category performance, forecasts, market conditions, supplier developments, opportunities, and challenges to State Street leadership.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for the protein category, providing strategic direction and actionable recommendations to Sales, Operations, and leadership.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity employers
• Providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• Prohibit discrimination and harassment and are committed to maintaining a workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed