Protein Manager

HOLLY POULTRY•Baltimore, MD

1d•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for managing the protein category across the State Street Division, including beef, poultry, pork, seafood, and other applicable protein products. The role develops and executes category strategies that support sales growth, profitability, product quality, supplier performance, and customer satisfaction. The manager works closely with Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and suppliers to ensure the division has the right products at the right cost, quality, and availability to meet customer needs. This position works in both office and operating environments, with routine interaction with production, warehouse, maintenance, and other operational areas. Regular presence on the production floor is an important part of the role. When entering operating areas, the employee may need to use required personal protective equipment and follow safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, and security requirements. The role involves working in and around industrial machinery, production equipment, warehouse areas, and processing environments, including refrigerated and cold storage areas. Warehouse bays may be approximately 32°F or below, with some areas below 0°F. The employee must tolerate cold exposure for periods while performing required duties on the plant floor. Conditions may also include varying temperatures, noise, moisture, odors, and wet surfaces. Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function. The employee is expected to maintain the confidentiality of financial, operational, employee, and other proprietary Company information.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in purchasing, category management, merchandising, sales, or procurement.
Experience with foodservice distribution is required.
Strong knowledge of protein products, suppliers, pricing, and market dynamics.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.
Strong analytical and financial skills, including the ability to understand cost, margin, pricing, and profitability.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business reporting tools.
Ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Operations, Finance, Purchasing, and senior leadership.
Must successfully pass a post-offer/pre-employment drug test and background screen.
Ability to tolerate cold temperatures for periods while performing required duties on the plant floor.
Ability to follow safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, and security requirements when entering operating areas.

Nice To Haves

Experience in food distribution or the protein industry.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the overall protein category strategy for the State Street Division, focusing on sales growth, profitability, customer retention, and market competitiveness.
Partner with Sales, including participating in ride-alongs, customer visits, and sales meetings, to understand customer needs, identify opportunities, and support profitable growth.
Provide pricing guidance and recommendations based on market conditions, product costs, competitive positioning, customer requirements, and desired gross profit.
Work with Sales to improve customer gross profit through pricing, product mix, cost management, value-added products, and strategic selling.
Develop and maintain accurate category forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, market trends, customer demand, commodity conditions, and supplier information.
Build strategic vendor and supplier relationships to improve pricing, service, quality, availability, and performance.
Lead and support vendor negotiations for competitive costs, favorable terms, rebates, promotions, freight arrangements, and other profitability programs.
Monitor commodity markets, industry trends, supply conditions, and competitive activity, and communicate relevant changes and opportunities to Sales and leadership.
Analyze sales, purchasing, margin, inventory, and product movement data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
Identify new products, alternative sources, substitutions, and assortment changes that improve customer value, margins, and product availability.
Work with vendors and internal teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels and minimize out-of-stocks, excess inventory, product loss, and obsolete inventory.
Collaborate with Sales and Operations on customer-specific protein strategies that balance customer needs, competitive pricing, product availability, and company profitability.
Support Sales with product knowledge, market intelligence, pricing trends, vendor updates, and category expertise.
Coordinate promotions, special buys, vendor programs, and other opportunities that support sales growth and gross profit improvement.
Monitor vendor performance and address issues involving quality, delivery, fill rates, pricing, service, and product consistency.
Maintain accurate product, cost, pricing, specification, and supplier information in company systems.
Partner with Finance to monitor category- and customer-level gross profit, pricing performance, and financial results.
Communicate category performance, forecasts, market conditions, supplier developments, opportunities, and challenges to State Street leadership.
Serve as the protein category subject-matter expert and provide strategic direction and actionable recommendations to Sales, Operations, and leadership.