Category Analyst Inside Sales

Job Description

Stratas Foods is seeking a motivated and analytical professional to join our Inside Sales team
. We are open to hiring at the Category Analyst, Category Analyst II, Sr. Category Analyst, Category Manager, or Sr. Category Manager level depending on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and career progression.

This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career with a market leader in the edible oils and shortenings industry. The role offers exposure to strategic account management, commodity markets, pricing strategy, and cross-functional collaboration across sales, procurement, operations, finance, and marketing.

• Develop and maintain strong customer and internal partnerships, instilling a culture of service.
• Manage a book of business and provide category-related support such as quotes, RFP responses, pricing analysis, forward contracting, and project work.
• Conduct market and pricing analysis to identify trends, competitive opportunities, and risks.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Operations, Finance, Technical Services, and Marketing to align business goals.
• Deliver accurate forecasts and support inventory planning processes.
• Drive growth in sales volume and gross profit while balancing customer needs and company objectives.
• Depending on level, provide mentorship, strategic forecasting leadership, and risk management guidance.
• Collaborate closely with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to drive departmental objectives

• Education:
  
  BA in Business, Finance, Marketing, or related field preferred; advanced degree (MS/MBA) a plus.
• Experience (depending on level):
  • Category Analyst, Category Analyst II, Sr. Category Analyst: 1–3 years in sales support, category management, finance/accounting, or supply chain.
  • Category Manager: 3+ years with proven experience managing customer accounts and category strategies.
  • Sr. Category Manager: 5+ years with demonstrated success in strategic account management, forecasting leadership, and coaching/mentoring team members.
• Strong analytical, financial, and Excel skills required; ERP/Salesforce experience a plus.
• Commodities market knowledge preferred.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.

• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Reviews job-related information to assess and analyze results for accuracy, profitability, completeness, consistency, voids, identify performance trends by category and/or segment, etc.;
  Uses commodity market information and competitive data to adjust pricing strategies. Uses and incorporates job-related tools, systems, and processes (MS Excel, IBM, ERP, Daily Reports, S&OP, IBP, other) as needed.
• Mathematical
  
  Skills:
  
  Performs pricing calculations with accuracy, updated costs, proper markets, correct formulas, etc.
• Communications – Written and Oral:
  Communicates clearly, tactfully, and succinctly in a variety of communication mediums, settings, and styles; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; edits work for spelling grammar; presents numerical data effectively. Interacts in a professional and courteous manner.
• Customer oriented:
  Builds and/or delivers solutions that meet customer expectations; shows interest in, anticipates, and responds timely to customer needs. Focuses on building and expanding customer relationships, creating long term partnerships, and leading with a team approach to service.
• Problem Solving:
  Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner;
  Gathers and analyzes information skillfully;
  Proposes and discusses alternatives and implements solutions.
• Teamwork:
  Works cooperatively with members of the team, Outside Sales, Customer Relationship Team, Supply Chain and Operations, Technical Services, Finance, Marketing, Legal, and Management, related to service, contracts & pricing, as well as participates in company projects as assigned.
• Judgment:
  Displays willingness to make decisions in a timely manner. Exhibits discernment in the decision-making process including seeking advice and guidance when needed. Treats sensitive and confidential information accordingly.

• Physical: Typical activities may include prolonged periods of…