Category Specialist

Category Specialist – Toledo OH

Our Purchasing Team is growing and we are seeking a talented and business-minded Category Specialist who strives for professional and personal growth. If you are interested in joining an innovative, supportive, values-driven company, we invite you to consider a career with Sofo Foods.

Within this position, you will be responsible in a specific category to enhance the sales process. This role is a great opportunity for someone with a strong understanding of product sourcing and costing. If you have exceptional communication skills, with the ability to use analytics in creative ways to tell the product story, garner buy-ins, and provide insights to support decision-making, this role is for you!

As a Category Specialist you will be responsible for sourcing products at the best value that meets Sofo Foods standards for quality. This role plays an integral part in negotiating and implementing contracts with suppliers. The Category Specialist must be able to clearly articulate technological capabilities, product fit, and business value to business users. You must be able to establish and maintain strong relationships with your suppliers, have continual engagement with supplier base in cost savings initiatives and provide ongoing evaluation of their performance.

Other duties include; completing research and analysis of assigned categories, investigate, plan, coordinate and execute various sourcing projects to result in category cost savings. Task management assessments, business continuity plans, market driver assessments and accompanying price mitigation plans, company and supplier strategy, as well as performing other responsibilities as needed.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, possesses strong presentation and business communication skills and has an understanding of business processes and key decision points related to product development.

• Execute category management and other initiatives within assigned categories
• Responsible for category success and overall support by promoting assigned categories
• Manage and review category equities, sales and GP results of market cost price changes to support pricing.
• Communicating regularly with suppliers, brokers, sales team and marketing regarding product issues and price changes.
• Manage local and regional supplier and broker relationships.
• Provide input, support and guidance to sales.
• Facilitate sales training for new hires as required.
• Participation in bi-monthly sales meeting coordination on specific category lines.
• Negotiate/secure supplier; funded customer deviated pricing and rebate programs.
• Support inventory depletion process within the last 90 days by identifying items to be discontinued and assisting in supplier negotiations to return products.
• Maintaining weekly inventory fill ratio of 99.75%.
• Drive results on focus categories and support promotional activities and food show events.
• New item and vendor creation.
• Gathering vital date sensitive information from brokers or suppliers
• Drive increase on in-house Sofo Foods Brand sales
• Collaborate with the sales team on product samples/demos, proof of concept and business justification in a pre-sales capacity to ensure proposition is clearly understood
• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends and how those trends are reflected in the product and services

• Bachelor Degree in Business, Economics or Marketing focus preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience of 3 years' working within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment
• Ability to manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue
• Capability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written & verbal communications skills
• Effective strategic and project management planning
• Strong supplier negotiation skills and ability to form a professional working relationship with suppliers and brokers
• Ability to understand, follow, and create processes in order to complete projects
• Excellent time-management, administration and organization skills with an apt for attention to detail
• Ability to exhibit judgment to handle confidential information and challenging business situations
• Experience with innovation processes, product development, marketing strategy – an advantage
• Experience leading or conducting meetings and presentations
• Intermediate computer skills but must possess strong excel skills with the ability to develop, create, and maintain advanced spreadsheets and databases.

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation will be based on experience
• Complete benefits package which includes: paid vacation and sick days, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 401(k) with match.