Category Manager

Pilgrim's • Greeley, CO

6d • $125,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic, data-driven Prepared Foods Category Manager to own and scale one of the company’s highest-growth categories. This role will lead end-to-end category strategy across value-added chicken portfolios driving gross & net sales growth, margin expansion, innovation, supply optimization and strategic customer growth. This leader will proactively operate at the intersection of cross-functional teams including Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations and Sales to deliver enterprise-level impact. The scope includes owning the PnL (profit and loss attribution) for the business unit, specifically the product mix and customer segmentation aligned to the Retail Frozen Prepared Deli & Meals (including Branded and Private Label Frozen Bulk Pack Products & Home Meal Solutions). This role will execute category management fundamentals (price, product, promotion, placement) for the product mix & channel under management including but not limited to; Gross to Net, Trade Management, Cost of Goods, Gross Margin, Product Assortment & Optimization and Channel Go-To-Market Strategy. Successful candidates will be; A cultural fit, living our values professionally. A cross-functional leader, effectively managing indirect reports. A challenger of process, driving continuous improvement. A category owner (price, promotion, product & placement).

Requirements

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, marketing or relevant commercial roles.
• 3-5+ years experience wihin CPG or agriculture.
• Food/Meat categories preferred.
• Proven ownership of multi-million-dollar PnL responsibility.
• Demonstrated success negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts.
• Advanced analytical capability (SQL, advanced Excel, BI tools preferred).
• Microsoft Office & Adobe Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Proficiency in third-party reporting toolkits (Circana, Qlik, Dynamics, Telus, etc.).
• Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute 3-year category roadmap aligned with business unit strategy.
• Identify whitespace opportunities in Retail Customers w/ Meal Solutions (Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, etc.) across our branded portfolio of products and the private label & custom product landscape (including Meal Solutions & co-brand or third-party partnerships).
• Lead innovation pipeline specific to the Channel with cross-functional teams.
• Optimize assortment using velocity, margin, and consumer insight analytics.
• Drive and support joint business planning with strategic customers.
• Own gross revenue, gross-to-net trade management, net sales, cost of goods and gross margin to the business per budget.
• Implement cost engineering initiatives across ingredients, packaging, and production in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Drive mix shift toward high-margin, differentiated SKUs.
• Conduct elasticity modeling and pricing optimization with RGM to support growth.
• Partner with Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations and Sales teams.
• Align cross-functional goals business unit and category strategy.
• Drive prioritization within the cross functional teams to deliver objectives.
• Manage performance metric implementation and key performance indicators.
• Execute process, cadence and routines specific to the channel.
• Improve forecast accuracy and reduce aged & shrink inventory risk.
• Drive process improvements in production scheduling and WOS positions.
• Standardize fundamental processes in support of channel operations.
• Leverage internal and third-party data to track key performance metrics.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

What This Job Offers

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