Category Management Senior Leader

The Senior Leader of Category Management directs assigned associates, category sourcing, and supply chain activities aligned to the company’s strategic objectives. This scope of oversight includes selection of vendors, advising on product specifications, mitigating risk, negotiating product costs, supply chain, category, and supplier analysis, as well as presenting to prospective clients, and superior team management.

This position is open to qualified candidates in major metropolitan areas where Bunzl has large operations including: Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, Monmouth Junction New Jersey, York Pennsylvania, Boston, Greensboro, or Atlanta.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of category experts, motivated to maintain a competitive, healthy portfolio of products through effective short- and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Develop and teach others category/market expertise and best practices including market trends, competitive analysis, effective sourcing strategies, supplier performance monitoring, as well as tools, systems, and processes.
• Lead and motivate a team of strong leaders to navigate multiple projects and initiatives within assigned categories with the ability to meet defined timelines and provide proactive communication to stakeholders.
• Oversee product pricing policies and negotiated vendor programs, using market intelligence, to enhance our competitive position related to costing, assortment, supply chain & category growth.
• Engage with the supplier community to execute supplier performance management initiatives in accordance with standards and guidelines in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Support effective transfer of new products from concept and into execution in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide input and uphold standards on product information support and training material (Roll Out Book) for sales personnel.
• Coordinate with all parties involved (R3/Bunzl, Vendors, and Customer) to ensure seamless category review process and category launch to the market, including but not limited to purchasing, sales, and marketing departments.
• Monitor the market, industry, and supplier community for risk or vulnerability, bringing any insight and suggested solutions to leadership.
• Work to improve go-to-market strategy and speed of new product implementation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• 8-10 years’ experience in a Category Management, Sourcing, or Supply Chain function, with experience preferably in a high-volume national distribution company with an extensive product mix.  
• 5+ years of experience managing a team of people, with progressive levels of responsibility.
• Proven expertise in negotiating and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Must be process-driven and analytical with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Knowledge of the distribution environment, food service, janitorial and processor packaging, inventory management systems, and supplier selection and qualification processes.
• Product knowledge across multiple industries a definite plus.
• Strong business and financial acumen, and Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent people skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to translate customer requirements into results.

Bunzl salary range:  $175-250K (+ bonus), based on experience, education and geographic location. Bunzl accepts ongoing applications for this role. 

The perks of being a Bunzl team member don’t stop at being part of a great team or being valued as our #1 asset. We offer a full range of benefits to help our employees take care of themselves and their families today, tomorrow and for the future.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available to employees and eligible dependents starting the first day of the month after 30 days of employment 
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match of $0.75 per $1.00 contributed, up to 6% of eligible pay, available after 30 days.
• Paid time off, including (Prorated from hire date):
  • 10 vacation days and 2 personal days annually (prorated in the first year based on hire date).
  • 40 hours sick for exempt | 56 hours sick for non-exempt per year, in accordance with Washington State law.
  • 6 paid national holidays and 2 floating holidays annually.
• Additional benefit information can be found on the Bunzl Careers home page under Benefits and Perks. 

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Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non‑Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions to exceed $10 billion in sales. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunzl North America operates more than 100 warehouses and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 10,000 team members and over 400,000 supplies, Bunzl is recognized as a leading supplier across North America—and proudly certified as a Great Place to Work®. At Bunzl, you’ll find Unlimited Potential… your career, our future.

Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401k with a company match.

Bunzl Distribution has a tradition of commitment to equal employment opportunity. It is the established policy to attract and retain the best qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status as provided by law.