Poultry Category Manager

Slim Chickens•Fayetteville, AR

23h•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to lead our poultry category across our Slim Chicken’s network. This role is responsible for sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, cost management, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality supply of poultry products to support our operations in achieving cost and guest satisfaction goals.

Requirements

Excellent written and oral communication skills necessary to interact with cross functional leadership, suppliers, and franchisee communities.
Working knowledge of poultry supply chains and commodity markets
Solid analytical and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Exceptional attention to detail and great organizational skills with the ability to thrive in a dynamic business environment.
Ability to work under strict deadlines, prioritize and manage multiple projects.
Forward-looking, analytical, creative, root cause identification, and problem-solving instincts.
Proficient in Microsoft Office with a focus on Excel.
3+ years of product/category management, product supply chain experience.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field

Nice To Haves

Experience with supplier negotiations and cost management preferred
Experience sourcing and/or selling poultry products preferred
Experience working with restaurant brands preferred
General understanding of product management, quality assurance, and manufacturing

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the category strategy for fresh poultry, balancing cost, quality, food safety, and supply continuity
Manage supplier relationships, inventory, contracts, and negotiations to deliver competitive pricing and favorable terms
Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, and pricing indices (e.g., USDA reports) to inform forecasting and risk mitigation
Collaborate with operations, food safety, and culinary teams to ensure product specifications are met
Lead supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives
Work cross-functionally with demand planning and logistics to ensure on-time delivery and minimize supply disruptions
Support new product development and menu changes that involve fresh poultry
Ensure suppliers maintain compliance with product specification food safety standards, animal welfare policies, and regulatory requirements.
Is familiar with Slim Chickens’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, Safety); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the Poultry Category Manager and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person to the work of this function, nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.