Associate Category Manager

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are considering opportunities with us and would like to share a brief overview of our company and the impact you could make in the food service industry. We are hiring a Stores Associate Category Manager in our Home Office located in Wyoming, MI to help support the Home Office Store Product Team with new product build, planning, and execution of product marketing plans, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with sales, sourcing, and procurement to deliver on the category’s key metrics.

• Work collaboratively with each of the Store Category Managers and the Leadership Team.
• Execute all project work related to various categories, including acting as liaison for DSD suppliers.
• Leverage internal and external category data and customer insights to inform decision‑making.
• Provide weekly and timely reporting as requested.
• Manage and monitor assigned categories’ sales and profitability by tracking COGS, margin, product mix, packaging, seasonal product opportunities, and item shrink.
• Negotiate customer support, such as marketing dollars, slotting allowances, and costs.
• Provide direction of the overall Store product lifecycle management from introduction to discontinuance.
• Monitor performance versus the Annual Plan and work with internal teams and vendors to take corrective action to ensure annual plan achievement.
• Collaborate with the pricing team to achieve margin and sales goals.
• Partner with marketing, merchandising, supply chain, sales and other relevant areas to drive category performance.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to drive the proper assortment in each store and support product innovation that aligns with consumer trends and drives category growth.
• Strategically market products with suppliers to drive return on investment.
• Leverage MSC, suppliers and strategic alliances to address cost needs for Gordon Food Service Store.
• Maintain knowledge of current consumer trends, insights, product development and innovation in the assigned category.
• Provide store and field teams with timely and relevant information so we can exceed customer expectations.
• Support in‑store implementation of new programs, products, store openings and remodels.

• Three (3) or more years of product, brand or category management experience.
• Proven capability to perform the essential functions of the job, demonstrated by an equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant work experience.
• Strong customer service skills, growth mindset, good communication skills, and ability to work on a team.
• Strong leadership and relationship‑building skills to work effectively with all levels of the organization and vendors.
• Good time‑management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficient in spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, business reporting software, and e‑mail software applications.
• Ability to learn category‑management tools, assortment planning and reporting systems.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (required).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Sales, or Marketing (preferred).

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco‑free. Gordon Food Service is a drug‑free workplace and conducts pre‑employment drug tests.