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The Sr Category Manager develops overall category strategy and manages its execution on a national level. Direct and manage product assortment, Division Delivered Price (DDP), pricing recommendations, vendor relationships and reviews to improve Cost of Goods Savings (COGS). The Category Manager is accountable for, and closely monitors, category performance nationally. Incorporate promotional activities’ performance analysis into the on-going refinement of strategy development and implementation.

New Ways of Work: This position has been segmented as hybrid meaning the work is a combination of 3 days onsite In Rosemont, IL (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and 2 days remotely (Monday and Friday) as defined by the role segmentation.

Responsibilities:

Develop and manage the national category strategy and consistently monitor performance to ensure objectives are met. Develop short and long-term category objectives aimed at driving the category to meet business growth targets. Develop consumer decision tree to inform strategy for managing the category. Collaborates with regions and divisions to tailor category management strategies to leverage opportunities, mitigate obstacles and drive performance. Collaborate with Region Category Managers to implement strategies nationally.

Monitor and analyze category performance on a national, regional and division level. Based on analysis, adjust category strategies as required to drive overall category performance, including sales growth and improved GP3 (purchase allowances + selling margin, less deviations). Benchmark category performance with top industry competitors.

Lead the effort to drive Exclusive Brand (EB) penetration across the category by ensuring EB products are primary considerations in the development and implementation of category strategy. Measure customer and EB penetration of assigned category and benchmark against our industry.

Establish, maintain and grow relationships with suppliers and lead negotiation efforts. Identify market, new product and category growth opportunities. Manage vendor communications and consistently provide vendor performance feedback and resolve complex issues. Work with suppliers on new, innovative products. Work with R&D and category operation on innovations and supplier selection.

Establish product specifications for EB vendors in conjunction with Product Development and monitor performance. Performance areas include volume commitments, fulfillment, promotional allowances, supplier service level, and the overall financial performance of the category as it pertains to the profit and loss statement.

Manage overall category product assortment, to include the execution of assortment reviews, determining core SKUs, reviewing new vendor items, driving national assortment harmonization, and reducing product duplication.

Identify gaps in EB portfolio, collaborating with product development teams to drive EB product innovation. Monitor market trends to identify product development opportunities.

Develop category level pricing strategies, continually reviewing pricing structure and implementing changes to maximize performance. Collaborate with pricing analytics team on segment specific Sales Representative Cost (SRC) and Price to Customer (PTC).

Negotiate national vendor price deviation funding and determine category promotion strategy. Determine and offer pricing and promotional materials.

Education/Training:

Four year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent experience required.

Related Experience:

Minimum 7 years Category Management or equivalent experience, including vendor management and pricing, required.

Prior experience in foodservice or food manufacturing preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Must possess the ability to operate successfully in a matrix environment and work effectively across multiple groups and levels. The successful candidate will have solid quantitative and analytical skills and the ability to work in a team setting, drive team results and support change management within the organization.

Must possess, or be able to rapidly develop, a strong knowledge of products within assigned category and division sales requirements.

Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across various levels of management.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high degree of motivation, the ability to prioritize and self-direct, strong business acumen and sound interpersonal skills.

Strong verbal, written and presentation skills required.

Proficiency required in the use of Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Microsoft Outlook.

Prior experience with Microsoft Access a plus.

Prior experience managing others strongly desired.

Universal pay verbiage:

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.  The expected base rate for this role is between $85,000-$140,000

This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus.​

​Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.

***EOE Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***