Category Specialist, Local Foods

The Local Foods Category Specialist is responsible for developing and expanding Y. Hata’s portfolio of locally produced food and beverage products through strategic supplier development, product sourcing, and market growth initiatives. This position serves as the primary liaison for local suppliers, identifying new business opportunities, building supplier partnerships, and driving initiatives that support assortment growth, profitability, and Y. Hata’s commitment to local businesses and communities.

The position works collaboratively with Sales, Purchasing, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to evaluate product opportunities, develop supplier relationships, facilitate product launches, and monitor portfolio performance. Through these efforts, the Local Foods Category Specialist plays a key role in strengthening Y. Hata’s local sourcing strategy, expanding market opportunities, and positioning the Company as a preferred distributor of locally produced products.

• Identifies, recruits, and develops strategic relationships with local food and beverage manufacturers, growers, processors, and emerging suppliers to expand Y. Hata’s local product portfolio.
• Serves as the primary liaison for prospective and existing local suppliers, fostering partnerships that support mutual business growth.
• Evaluates supplier capabilities, product readiness, food safety compliance, production capacity, service levels, and operational compatibility.
• Guides suppliers through onboarding requirements, distribution processes, product specifications, and performance expectations.
• Participates in supplier discussions regarding pricing, terms, promotional allowances, and vendor programs, providing recommendations to Category Management leadership.

• Develops and executes local sourcing and portfolio growth initiatives aligned with customer demand, company objectives, and profitability goals.
• Identifies assortment gaps and evaluates opportunities to introduce new local products, suppliers, and product categories.
• Analyzes sales, gross profit, margins, product movement, customer penetration, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Monitors Hawaiʻi market trends, customer preferences, competitive activity, and emerging local product opportunities.
• Collaborates with Category Managers to align local product initiatives with established category strategies, pricing objectives, and assortment plans.

• Leads the evaluation, coordination, onboarding, and introduction of new local products into Y. Hata’s distribution network.
• Coordinates product specifications, item setup, pricing information, food safety documentation, inventory planning, and system readiness.
• Partners with Purchasing, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing to ensure operational and commercial readiness before product launches.
• Monitors new product performance and recommends adjustments to assortment, inventory, pricing, and promotional strategies.

• Partners with Sales to identify customer opportunities, expand local product placement, and support portfolio growth.
• Provides product knowledge, supplier information, selling points, and recommendations to strengthen sales effectiveness.
• Supports customer presentations, product demonstrations, sales tools, and local assortment recommendations.
• Participates in customer meetings, food shows, supplier presentations, and industry events to promote local products and develop business opportunities.

• Collaborates with Marketing to develop promotional initiatives,…