Vice President - Category Management

UNIPRO FOODSERVICE INC AND SUBSIDIARIES•Vinings, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President oversees specified product categories and suppliers, developing supplier program strategies to drive UniPro Member earned income and a portfolio of supplier options for Members. This role is responsible and accountable for the assigned category’s overall effectiveness, budgeted income generation, and coordinating the successful achievement of UniPro’s overall Category Management strategies for those categories. The position involves establishing overall Category Management strategies, implementing key departmental strategic initiatives, and collaborating with suppliers to develop promotional programs. It also includes managing various earned income programs, maintaining key supplier and UniPro Member relationships, and contributing to negotiations to improve supplier earned income programs. The Vice President also supports and guides Partners Plus supplier negotiations and income generation, serves as a primary decision maker on supplier obligations and benefits, and works with internal functional areas to drive member support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of Ten (10) years’ experience in the Food Service Industry.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Budgeting and associate management skills.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
Ability to travel to participate in UniPro Conferences or industry-related functions like conventions, trade shows, and supplier facility or corporate office visits (Estimated travel is <15%).

Nice To Haves

Five (5) years’ experience in Buying Group/Corporate Distribution with emphasis in Foodservice Category Management experience.

Responsibilities

Works with the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Category Management to establish overall Category Management strategies and execution.
In coordination with the SVP Category Management Creates and implements key departmental strategic initiatives to align successfully with UniPro’s overall Category Management goals.
Establishes criteria for team members to drive productivity and establishes metrics to measure success.
Measures, monitors, and takes corrective action on the team’s goals and objectives as necessary.
Review and validate with their associates which suppliers which should be added to the category supplier base and where appropriate terminating under-performing suppliers.
Collaborate with suppliers to develop supplier funded promotional programs to provide additional opportunities for growth and Member income.
Proactively work with UniPro Members and their team to grow specified category earned income by managing EDA & SPA income programs, committed programs, Block Buys, Tier and Volumetric, Partners Plus and other earned income programs.
Maintains coordinated responsibility for key categorical suppliers to drive member income.
Responsible for EDA/SPA income budgeting and performance on an annual basis.
Develops, supports and maintains key supplier and UniPro Member relationships at the key management levels.
A key contributor, negotiator and framework provider in negotiations seeking to improve supplier earned income programs through a) higher EDA rates per pound, per case, or on a percentage basis, and b) improved SPA allowances, promotions, incentives, and growth programs.
Responsible for the supporting and guidance role of Partners Plus supplier negotiations and income generation.
Serves as the primary decision maker, under the parameters provided on adjustments to the supplier obligations and benefits.
Establishes and maintains career development strategy for assigned department Associates with the Senior Vice President of Category Management.
Works with key functional areas within UniPro (Member Development, Partners Plus Marketing, IT, Supply Chain, Branding) with the goal of driving member support.
Represents UniPro and its members in key industry events/activities including conventions and conferences.
Assist in the collection and maintenance of Member revenue returns in the form of EDA and SPA.
May be required to attend various category Industry Training and Educational Seminars to remain well versed in current industry direction and innovations.
May be required to attend various category Industry Conventions, Shows and Supplier facilities to maintain existing as well as develop new Supplier relationships.
Communicate assigned Supplier news and activities through established communication channels, to UniPro Foodservice, Inc. and UniPro Members.