Category Operations Manager (Grocery/Non Foods) at US Foods, Inc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own implementation plan for Area category and operational strategies customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy, goals and defined Area needs.

Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead products as well as growth opportunities.

Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce product duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national

strategies.

Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize

Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs.

Ensure weekly communication with the sales team. Implement strategy with leadership and ensure all quality objectives are met. Work with the corporate team covering delayed trucks and potential shorted items. Ensure communicated market and area needs are aligned with our overall corporate strategy. Communicate issues to sellers and customers ahead of arrival with alternatives.

Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSO, Specialists and sales staff. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.

Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer onboarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.

Work with replenishment and logistics to maintain quality, on time delivery and service levels through good communication. Manage local fill in vendors and assure customer satisfaction. Working with logistics to track critical inbound product and resolve local issues as they arise. Work with Operations and Inventory Control to identify overstock and set plan to sell product quickly, at a discount if needed by partnering with Pricing team.

Other duties assigned by manager.

SUPERVISION

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid: This role is partially remote, and the associate is expected to perform assigned responsibilities from a combined home-based and office-based environment. The associate is expected to be in the Fresno office 4 days a week and will have the option of Work from home one day out of the week.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training: 

• Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.

Related Experience:  

• Must possess a minimum of 7 years category management experience required.

• Project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups.

• Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization.

• Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance.

• Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen.

• Sound interpersonal skills

• Excellent presentation skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.

Why US Foods:

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.  The expected base rate for this role is between $65,000 and $100,000. This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus.​

​Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.