Category Manager (Tempo)

Home Chef • Chicago, IL

18h • $90,000 - $105,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Home Chef is a leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo, which features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved. This role serves as the primary business owner for the Tempo Protein category, partnering cross-functionally to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and deliver results in a fast-paced, highly visible environment. This role is best suited for someone who enjoys building processes where they don't yet exist, thrives in a rapidly changing environment, and views ambiguity as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Requirements

• 5+ years of procurement and sourcing experience (food category-related preferred)
• Background in food and beverage industry highly preferred
• Executive-level succinct communication, both verbal and written; discernment when delivering updates
• Strong data and numerical orientation; baseline Excel/GSheet knowledge (index/match, pivot tables, gut-checking data)
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple cross-functional initiatives with competing timelines
• Ability to lead cross functional teams and stakeholders, and respectfully hold them accountable
• Completion of a four-year degree program in a related field

Nice To Haves

• Passion for food and for working in a fast-paced, quickly-growing, entrepreneurial environment a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain category strategy, in service of company-wide goals
• Own the identification, evaluation, and choice of suppliers and SKUs for the category
• Coordinate, negotiate, and manage RFPs with both new and current suppliers
• Build strategic supplier partnerships that foster innovation, improve performance, reduce cost, and strengthen long-term supply continuity
• Conduct supply market analysis and collect supplier intelligence to drive sourcing process
• Work closely with culinary team to identify new ingredient needs and test new suppliers
• Coordinate with Cross Functional Partners to ensure all new suppliers meet Home Chef guidelines and expectations
• Act as point on highly visible new protein A/B and Market tests
• Partner with legal to negotiate contract terms with key supplier partners and ensure terms + conditions of those contracts are managed and met
• Work with Procurement Operations, Warehouse and site teams to improve supply chain performance
• Collaborate with local sites and supplier partners to problem solve regular supply disruptions and secure product in time for weekly meal production
• Own category performance, proactively monitoring key metrics including cost, quality, supply continuity, customer feedback, inventory health, and supplier performance.
• Attend industry conferences to identify new trends, suppliers and/or ingredients
• Identify, prioritize, and commercialize new product opportunities that support customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial goals

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: Mid Level