Category Director Prepared Foods

Boar's Head Brand is seeking a strategic leader with strong knowledge of the Retail / Prepared Foods Category. This individual will possess a passion for the food industry as well as experience in successfully concepting new and innovative product launches specific to prepared foods. The candidate will possess outstanding project management skills and the ability to drive product development from commercialization to launch. Customer management experience will also be a key attribute. In this role, the Director will work closely with senior leadership on the strategic development and expansion of a branded Prepared Food offering that is positioned as a broad, premium solution for retailers and grab and go concepts. The Director will manage a team that is responsible for bringing strategic programs to life in a format that effectively grows sales across current and new retail partnerships. This individual will manage project flow of new program development as well as provide the business with a flow of new and trend forward offerings. Leadership in this role will include providing insight and education to the organization to deepen the culinary culture. Ability to work collaboratively across functional areas with multiple disciplines such as chefs, sales organization, operations and others is a must. Additionally, must effectively work with outside partners particularly, manufacturers and distribution centers. • Extensive knowledge of food, grocery and retail trends in general • Developed leadership skills of small & large teams • Strategic level expertise with demonstrated success concepting, developing and launching prepared food concepts • Experience working with product development chefs, strong professional standards and good business acumen • Deep knowledge of fresh prepared foods manufacturing, commissary operations, on-site retail food production, Food Safety QA, RFP processes, distribution demands and shelf-life standards. • Strong background successfully managing projects from concept to execution • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a complex organization as well as 3rd party manufacturing and distribution partners. • Collaborative, strategic thinker that values brand success over individual or department recognition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs all aspects of Boar's Head Prepared Foods sales support services, 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 our Brand across multiple retail formats and banners through execution of an industry leading prepared food strategy
• Analyses of market and works 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.
• Supports the company and department to meet or exceed the individual and team goals.
• Sell a premium brand as a food solution by generating concrete value added propositions to retail & foodservice 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 Boar's Head sales organization.
• Ensure effective training and development related to the execution of prepared foods programs.
• Effective interaction with Purveyors that promotes prepared foods and builds a supportive selling relationship.
• Engage with professional affiliations and connections to industry support organizations such as FMI, NGA, IDDBA as well as internally with the Culinary Development Team
• Maintain current and up-to-date on evolving all food and culinary trends with focus on global and domestic influences.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to effectively communicate up and down the organization
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

• 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 foodservice
• 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, and commercialization

Skills / Abilities

• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft office: excel, word, outlook, and power point; competencies: e-mail, cell phones etc.
• Advanced Organizational skills to include time/project management skills and the ability to prioritize projects based on business.
• Be a self-starter: i.e. be able to recognize, analyze, develop solutions and initiate problem solving action with very little information and/or direction.
• Ability to coordinate off site training sessions, communicate with on site management and/or distributors.
• Demonstrate above average problem solving abilities
• Ability to present at all levels.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, particularly with, purveyors, CBDM. prepared foods team, marketing and the leadership team.
• Highly motivated self-starter with results orientation
• Work independently and/or with teams
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Be able to travel utilizing commercial flights, automobile and other forms of transportation
• Understanding dynamics of commercial and non-commercial channels
• Position is based in Sarasota FL