Protein Commodity Merchandising Manager

Gordon Food Service • Amherst, NS

2d • CA$80,000 - CA$100,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a decisive, high-energy, market-oriented COP Commodity Category Manager to spearhead the incremental growth of our Protein category. While our Core Merchandising Manager maintains the foundational portfolio, you are the "Market Specialist." You will sit at the centre of the action: responding to time-sensitive offers, collaborating with our Strategic Alliances, Speciality Companies, Vendor network and Sales teams and managing our COP Contracting program. We need a professional who thrives under pressure and can bridge the gap between global commodity trends and local market needs, ensuring our product portfolio and buy-side costs translate into a winning sell-side position.

Requirements

• 3+ years of deep knowledge in beef, lamb, seafood and poultry, including quality standards and supply chain dynamics.
• Extensive knowledge of market fluctuations and the ability to interpret data to make timely buying decisions.
• Strong grasp of Margin, Pricing and DC capacity metrics in a perishable goods environment.
• Proven ability to work across multiple teams and influence stakeholders at both the regional and national levels.
• A creative thinker who can inject fresh perspectives into the category and drive brand goals.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; SAP experience is a significant asset for managing complex inventory and procurement data.

Nice To Haves

• SAP experience is a significant asset for managing complex inventory and procurement data.

Responsibilities

• Make purchasing decisions on time-sensitive offers through our Strategic Alliances, Speciality Companies and Vendor network, ensuring we secure market advantages before they disappear.
• Monitor the competitive landscape and commodity fluctuations in real-time.
• Ensure we are competitively positioned allowing our sales team to win at the street level.
• Manage higher-risk inventory by analyzing volume, DC capacity and market volatility before directing large, opportunistic buys.
• Act as a critical resource for the sales by sourcing unique products and "opportunity buys" that drive incremental customer interest.
• Analyze volume, Distribution Centre (DC) capacity, and market volatility before directing large, high-risk buys.
• Act as the connective tissue between the Core COP Divisional Merchandising Manager, Sales, Supply Chain and Revenue Management.
• Act as primary point person with our Strategic Alliances and Specialty Company to secure contracts for key items at volumes and prices that will drive category growth.
• Manage the division’s protein contracting program for customers.
• Ensure that supply-side costs align with customer-side commitments to protect margins and ensure reliable distribution.
• Monitor and escalate contract performance issues, ensuring that both vendors and the division meet their volume and pricing obligations.
• Utilize a mix of national partners, strategic alliances, specialty companies and local/regional sources to ensure our portfolio remains market-relevant and competitive.
• Lead negotiations with new regional suppliers, collaborating with Strategic Procurement to expand our local footprint.
• Represent the unique needs of the local market to the North American Category Team, ensuring regional agility within national frameworks.
• Proactively anticipate seasonal demand and commodity cycles by securing supply and cost advantages ahead of peak periods, including executing forward buys when market conditions are favorable.
• Continuously assess the portfolio for gaps and position inventory in advance of seasonal spikes, balancing service levels with risk while leveraging market insights.
• Partner with District Sales Managers and Sales Representatives to identify customer opportunities, provide protein expertise, and develop solutions that drive sales, brand, and margin growth.
• Support customer meetings, business reviews, and sales calls as the protein subject matter expert.
• Train and coach Sales teams on protein products, market trends, and selling strategies to build confidence and support customer success.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EFAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
• FULL flex benefits program
• Company matching RRSP
• Family culture
• Advancement opportunities
• Profit Sharing

What This Job Offers

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