E2638 - Category Operations Manager

US Foods•Salem, VA

8d•$75,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports and executes the implementation of US Foods division category strategy across a defined Area. The Category Operations Manager will execute recommended assortment changes, support positive local vendor relationships, and assist Area sales staff with product assortment updates and merchandising goals. The position also supports local customer requirements in alignment with national strategies. Key responsibilities include developing implementation plans for category strategy, driving KPIs, reviewing product assortment for penetration and growth opportunities, gathering local market data, facilitating product training, and supporting FSQA inquiries and account bids.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
Minimum 7 years category management experience required, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.
Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups.
Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization.
Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance.
Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required, working knowledge of PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Project management experience

Responsibilities

Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers, ensuring alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs.
Drive KPIs across categories (including sales case growth, category penetration, EB penetration, and TM feedback) and competitive market pricing; work with TMs to refine customer product offering, order guides and potential pricing for new accounts.
Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities.
Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication.
Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple markets in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners.
Report on new product opportunities and provide data on competitors.
Finalize Area assortment and core complement.
Communicate changing market conditions and weekly talking points for the sales team and top customers.
Facilitate product training and new product introductions with sales staff.
Ensure product/brand message is aligned with overall USF strategy.
Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.
Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues.
Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.