COP Category Manager

Overview

Responsible for driving profitable sales growth of the Center of the Plate categories, Beef, Pork, Poultry & Seafood within a region. Collaborates cross functionally (Sales, Supply Chain, Revenue Management) and across entities (Market, Corporate, Specialty). Category expert that provides training, product information, regulatory guidance, and market cost guidance to internal and external customers in support of the center of the plate category.

• Category Strategy
  • Align with SSMG teams to execute strategies
  • Identify business development opportunities, coordinate with sales teams to propose new business
  • Compliance with SSMG standard assortment and on‑going assortment related opportunities
  • Analyze data and market insights to understand consumer needs and wants
  • Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing
  • Manage site specific market cost decisions weekly and collaborate with Regional Revenue Management Director and Regional VP of Merch to provide customer specific pricing for key Regional customers
  • Communicate with corporate led beef replenishment teams about products and strategies
  • Advise on marketing materials to improve sales and provide field feedback on strategies
• Planning & Forecasting
  • Provide planning team with forecasts for product demand trends
  • Coordinate new customer onboarding activities
  • Address needs and concerns of key TRS/CMU/LCC customer contacts within the Region
• Assortment Management
  • Provide product assortment and SKU rationalization recommendations aligned with Region demand
  • Ensure product availability and design exit strategies for unsuccessful products
• Category Training
  • Support SC through business reviews and customer insight encounters with targeted training and education
  • Schedule and manage category sales training of Sales Consultants
  • Communicate product quality, new items, and market conditions to Sales Force
• Product Quality & Control
  • Develop and monitor SOPs ensuring pick locations are checked daily
  • Collaborate with Operations and Food Safety teams
  • Maintain accountability with Operations leadership to ensure aging specifications adherence for boxed beef assortment
  • Manage expiration dating through SWMS reports with inventory control
• Expense / Shrink Mitigation
  • Collaborate with inventory control to manage expiration dating
  • Work with Quality Assurance, Operations and Transportation Management on inspections and quality integrity of inbound and outbound products
  • Support region adherence to HAACP and other regulatory guidelines

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform essential job functions. Master’s degree a plus.
• 3+ years management/professional experience required (5+ years preferred). Significant produce industry experience, sales, merchandising and/or operations in retail, wholesale or distribution preferred.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills required.
• Strong Excel skills preferred.
• Ability to manage & implement innovative strategies to maximize sales & gross profit while driving customer loyalty & MA engagement.

• Build high performing teams and enable best practice sharing.
• Motivate high performing teams and support a culture of best practices.
• Manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue.
• Work cross functionally and build relationships across the organization/enterprise.
• Communicate effectively with individuals of different backgrounds.
• Collaborate and lead change using multiple influencing styles.
• Analytical thinker who can draw sound business conclusions based on a strong fact base.
• Multi-task in a fast paced environment.