Category Manager - Food Service

Summary:

The Food Service Category manager is responsible for the sales optimization of the food service program and those related products within the retail establishment. Responsibilities include making decisions about which products to sell, helping with procurement, assisting with marketing and promotion, and overseeing inventory. Category managers require familiarity with marketing, sales, and supply chain management and are both creative and analytical in their decision-making. 

Division: 

Retail Operations

Reports to: 

Director of Food Service 

FLSA: 

Exempt

Employment Status: 

Full Time

Effective Date: 

March 2023

Essential Functions

• Analyzing data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends regarding product and food service category
• Creating and developing a strategic long-term plan for the development of the category
• Reviewing and monitoring category assortment performance and implementing various action plans for improvement
• Forecasting new product demand and reviewing product pricing to ensure they meet margin targets with healthy year over year growth
• Building and driving relationships with key vendors to improve pricing and quality of services
• Collaborating with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories and ensuring products are in the optimal position within the store layout for category success 
• Developing strong working relationships with buying, marketing and merchandising teams
• Planning and implementing planograms for shelf displays.
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Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, in marketing, business or supply chain management field 
• Minimum 3 years food service industry experience
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Hands on experience with analyzing data and understanding forecasting
• Ability to think from a consumer perspective and understand buying behavior
• Analytical, creative, and goal-driven thinking