Category Director Prepared Foods

Apply for the Category Director Prepared Foods role at Boar’s Head Brand
, a subdivision of Delicatessen Services Co., LLC.

Boar’s Head Brand seeks a strategic leader with strong knowledge of the Retail/Prepared Foods Category. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the food industry and experience successfully concepting new, innovative product launches specific to prepared foods. Outstanding project management skills and a proven track record of driving product development from commercialization to launch are essential. Customer relationship management is also a key attribute.

• Oversee all aspects of Boar’s Head Prepared Foods sales support, marketing development, training, and internal & external relationships.
• Lead a team of 4 (3 direct reports) responsible for innovation, execution of elevated offer, proper mix and assortment, packaging, and merchandising.
• Refine the Category Management approach of a growing and changing business segment.
• Influence a 5‑10 year product pipeline of future growth in collaboration with R&D.
• Represent, protect and grow the brand across multiple retail formats and banners through execution of an industry‑leading prepared food strategy.
• Analyze market data and work with multiple areas of the business to bring to life executable prepared food offerings and programs that strengthen the Boar’s Head brand.
• Build and nurture customer relationships that separate Boar’s Head experience from competition.
• Support the company and department to meet or exceed individual and team goals.
• Sell a premium brand as a food solution by generating concrete value‑added propositions to retail & food service prepared food customers.
• Develop programs and updates that demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement of Boar’s Head prepared food offerings and dedication to premium positioning within the industry.
• Organize and schedule semi‑annual product demonstrations and rollouts to the sales organization.
• Ensure effective training and development related to the execution of prepared foods programs.
• Effectively interact with purveyors that promote prepared foods and build a supportive selling relationship.
• Engage with professional affiliations and connections (e.g., FMI, NGA, IDDBA) and internally with the Culinary Development Team.
• Maintain current and up‑to‑date knowledge of evolving food and culinary trends with a focus on global and domestic influences.
• Deliver strong presentation skills and communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• BA/BS preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of combined retail prepared foods category management and product development.
• Strong preference for candidates with brand development experience and working knowledge of product development from concept to commercialization.
• Culinary degree or background is a plus.
• Understanding of premium brand attributes related to prepared foods and food service.
• Must have successfully led a team of manager‑level direct reports within a CPG or retailer with robust private label development programs.
• Manufacturing expertise is a plus; commercialization experience preferred.

• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Advanced organizational, time/project management skills and the ability to prioritize projects based on business needs.
• Self‑starter who can analyze, develop solutions and initiate problem‑solving action with minimal information and direction.
• Coordinate off‑site training sessions and communicate with on‑site management and distributors.
• Demonstrate above‑average problem‑solving abilities.
• Present at all levels.
• Effectively communicate with all organizational levels, including purveyors, CBDM, prepared foods team, marketing and leadership.
• Highly motivated self‑starter with a results orientation.
• Work independently and/or with teams.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Travel as required (commercial flights, automobile, etc.).
• Understanding of commercial and non‑commercial channel dynamics.
• Position is based in Sarasota, FL.

Sarasota, FL

Full time

Business Development

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