What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Strategy & Category- Selling Retail Carrot - Shift 1 position at Bolthouse Fresh Foods?
The Role
Bolthouse Fresh Foods is a leader in carrot production, serving as a grower, packer, processor, and shipper. Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, we are a proud employer to 1,600 dedicated individuals. Since 1915, we have been committed to growing and producing high-quality carrots, and today, we are one of North America’s largest growers and distributors of fresh carrots for cooking and snacking. Additionally, we supply premium natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. With over a century of excellence, Bolthouse Fresh™ products are available at major retailers across North America.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods has approximately 1,600 employees.
What You’ll Be Responsible For In This Role
The Director of Strategy & Category Management will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our organization. This position is responsible for developing and implementing category management strategies that align with our overall business objectives, ensuring that we remain competitive and innovative in the market. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams to analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes, translating insights into actionable strategies. Additionally, this role will involve collaborating with key stakeholders to optimize product assortments and pricing strategies, ultimately driving revenue growth and enhancing customer satisfaction. The Director will also be tasked with mentoring and developing team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic thinking throughout the organization.
1st Shift – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday. Weekends, holiday, and overtime when business requires overtime and weekends will be mandatory.
What We Offer
Our rich benefits packages are designed to support the health and well-being of both our eligible co-workers and their families.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance applying for a position or believe you require accommodation due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at: TalentAcquisition@BolthouseFresh.com for additional support or guidance.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Bolthouse Fresh Foods is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
1st Shift (8:00am-5:00pm ) ; Monday through Friday. Weekends, holidays, and overtime may be mandatory based on business needs.
- This position will report to the: VP, Sales & Marketing
- Travel requirements: 20%
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Shift: 1st
- Employment Category: Full-Time Regular
- Pay Range: $165,000 - $200,000
Bolthouse Fresh Foods is a leader in carrot production, serving as a grower, packer, processor, and shipper. Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, we are a proud employer to 1,600 dedicated individuals. Since 1915, we have been committed to growing and producing high-quality carrots, and today, we are one of North America’s largest growers and distributors of fresh carrots for cooking and snacking. Additionally, we supply premium natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. With over a century of excellence, Bolthouse Fresh™ products are available at major retailers across North America.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods has approximately 1,600 employees.
What You’ll Be Responsible For In This Role
The Director of Strategy & Category Management will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our organization. This position is responsible for developing and implementing category management strategies that align with our overall business objectives, ensuring that we remain competitive and innovative in the market. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams to analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes, translating insights into actionable strategies. Additionally, this role will involve collaborating with key stakeholders to optimize product assortments and pricing strategies, ultimately driving revenue growth and enhancing customer satisfaction. The Director will also be tasked with mentoring and developing team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic thinking throughout the organization.
- Develop and execute comprehensive category management strategies that align with the company's overall business goals.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive threats within the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sectors.
- Collaborate with product development, marketing, and sales teams to optimize product assortments and pricing strategies.
- Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment and effective communication across departments.
- Mentor and develop team members, promoting a culture of strategic thinking and continuous improvement.
- Expand status across a broader customer base and execute on aligned initiatives
- This role works closely with Category Managers/Buyers to influence and guide decisions toward category growth, expanding category partnership with the retailer and reinforcing Bolthouse Fresh Foods position as the thought leader across our categories
- Advises customers on key strategic and tactical recommendations around distribution, merchandising, price, and promotion to improve category performance
- Identifies, measures, and quantifies marketplace trends and opportunities
- Activates against the customer’s shelf set process to communicate a category growth strategy
- Understands the customer’s various store formats and leverages syndicated data to optimize distribution and pricing.
- Maintain reporting tools ensuring up-to-date information is available to all sales and management personnel.
- Create dashboards to be shared and presented by account managers in customer meetings to clearly communicate sales trends and areas for improvement.
- Provides on-going trend analysis of customer data (business performance and drivers) to seize value-creating opportunities re: new distribution, promotional effectiveness, trends and competitive activity; works with Sales to take corrective action as necessary
- Along with the National Sales Director and Regional Managers, create direction for joint business planning, category reviews, and new item presentations.
- Provides input into customer planning cycle based on knowledge of category and shopper trends, competitive issues, etc.
- Reconciles promotional activity, measures results, and identifies opportunities for improving ROI and effectiveness of future promotions
- Performs other duties as apparent or assigned
- Produce Category, consumer, & shopper knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of category management principles and ability to apply to the Produce category
- Strong communication skills (written and oral)
- Exceptional analytical and project management skills
- Excellent presentation, consensus-building and leadership abilities
- Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and influence others
- Excellent time management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Self-driven to achieve goals; high energy level is essential; strong, dedicated work ethic
- Able to source, collect and manipulate data to derive meaningful, actionable insights
- Must be very proficient in Microsoft Office Applications, expert level in Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience with building databases and mining syndicated data sources for insights (IRI/Nielsen)
- Strong analytical abilities, which will be utilized to interpret market data and consumer insights to inform strategic decisions.
- Proficiency in data analytics will enhance the ability to make informed decisions based on market trends and performance metrics.
- Travel: ~20% required for account calls and sales meetings
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, or a related field.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in strategy development or category management within agriculture or related industries.
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic initiatives.
- Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
- Experience in produce, retail, and manufacturing.
- Master's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
- Experience with data analytics tools and methodologies to inform strategic decision-making.
- Familiarity with sustainability practices and trends in the agriculture industry.
- Knowledge of sustainability practices will be beneficial in aligning the company's strategies with current industry trends and consumer expectations.
- Experience in produce, retail, and manufacturing.
- Knowledge of category management best practices and supplier negotiation strategies.
- Familiarity with digital commerce and omnichannel retail strategies (if applicable)
- Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interruptions.
- Ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist.
- Lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight up to 50 lbs.
- Operate office equipment requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.
1st Shift – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday. Weekends, holiday, and overtime when business requires overtime and weekends will be mandatory.
What We Offer
Our rich benefits packages are designed to support the health and well-being of both our eligible co-workers and their families.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Group Life and AD&D
- Voluntary Life and AD&D
- Group Short-Term Disability
- Group Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401k
- Paid Time Off
Bolthouse Fresh Foods is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance applying for a position or believe you require accommodation due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at: TalentAcquisition@BolthouseFresh.com for additional support or guidance.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Bolthouse Fresh Foods is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
1st Shift (8:00am-5:00pm ) ; Monday through Friday. Weekends, holidays, and overtime may be mandatory based on business needs.
Salary : $165,000 - $200,000
