Produce Category Manager

Sysco•Ocoee, FL

About The Position

The Produce Category Manager is responsible for driving profitable sales growth of the produce category within a region. The role collaborates across Sales, Supply Chain, and Revenue Management, as well as Market, Corporate, and Specialty entities. As a category expert, the manager provides training, product information, regulatory guidance, and market cost guidance to internal and external customers. The position develops and executes category strategies, identifies opportunities for category development, and supports new-business proposals with sales teams. It analyzes market and consumer information, researches competitors, recommends pricing, manages site-specific weekly market cost decisions, and provides product demand forecasts and field feedback. The role also supports customer onboarding and addresses the needs of key regional contacts. The manager provides assortment and SKU rationalization recommendations, supports product availability, and develops exit strategies for unsuccessful products. The role trains and communicates with Sales Consultants and the sales force on market conditions, product quality and availability, new items, and applications. The position oversees product quality and quality-control practices, including daily checks of pick locations, coordination with Operations and Food Safety, and accurate, timely completion and submission of PDNs. It works with inventory control, Quality Assurance, Operations, Transportation Management, and Product Support Advisors to manage expiration dating, inspect inbound product, maintain product integrity, track and settle claims, and support GAP/GMP compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential job functions.
At least 3 years of management or professional experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage and implement innovative strategies to maximize sales and gross profit potential while driving customer loyalty and MA engagement.
Ability to build high-performing teams and enable best-practice sharing and a supportive culture.
Ability to motivate high-performing teams and enable a culture of best practices.
Ability to manage conflict and reach timely resolution using facts and dialogue.
Ability to work cross-functionally and build relationships across the organization and enterprise.
Ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds.
Collaborative change leadership and ability to use multiple influencing styles to drive change.
Analytical thinking and ability to draw sound business conclusions from a strong fact base.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
At least 5 years of management or professional experience.
Significant produce industry experience.
Sales, merchandising, and/or operations experience in a retail, wholesale, or distribution environment.
Strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

Align with SMS Produce teams to execute category strategies.
Identify category development opportunities and coordinate with sales leaders, specialists, and consultants to propose new business.
Ensure expected compliance and appropriate support of SMS Produce and Freshpoint.
Analyze data and market insights to understand consumer needs and preferences.
Research competitors and recommend appropriate pricing.
Manage site-specific market cost decisions weekly.
Collaborate with the Regional Revenue Management Director and Regional VP of Merchandising to use contract programs and resources for customer-specific pricing for key regional customers.
Provide field feedback on strategies, including recommendations for marketing materials that could improve sales.
Provide the planning team with forecasts of product demand trends.
Coordinate new-customer onboarding activities.
Address the needs and concerns of key CMU/LCC contacts within the region.
Recommend product assortments and SKU rationalization aligned with regional demand.
Ensure product availability and develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products.
Support Sales Consultants through business reviews, customer insight encounters, targeted training, and education.
Schedule and manage category sales training for Sales Consultants.
Communicate promptly and effectively with the sales force about market conditions, product quality and availability, new items, and applications.
Develop and monitor SOPs to ensure pick locations are checked daily.
Collaborate with Operations and Food Safety teams.
Work cross-functionally with QA and Operations to generate PDNs and ensure they are accurate, completed and submitted on time; track and settle resulting claims appropriately.
Work with inventory control to manage expiration dating through SWMS reports.
Work with Quality Assurance leads and in conjunction with Operations and Transportation Management.
Maintain accountability for thorough inspection of all inbound product.
Collaborate with QA and Product Support Advisors to ensure the quality and integrity of inbound and outbound Category 11 products.
Manage market adherence to GAP/GMP compliance.