Category Operations Manager - Area

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The Category Operations Manager plays a critical role in driving category growth, assortment optimization, and execution of strategic merchandising initiatives across multiple Distribution Centers within an assigned Area. This position serves as the key bridge between Category Management, Sales, Supply Chain, Vendors, and local market stakeholders to ensure category strategies are effectively implemented and aligned with customer needs, market trends, and business objectives.

This individual will leverage data-driven insights, industry expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize product assortments, improve category performance, identify growth opportunities, and support profitable sales growth. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who excels in a matrixed environment, builds strong relationships, influences stakeholders, and delivers results through effective project management and change leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and execute category strategies across multiple Distribution Centers within the assigned Area, ensuring alignment with national objectives and local market needs.
• Develop and implement customized category execution plans that drive assortment optimization, sales growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze product assortments, SKU performance, and category penetration to identify opportunities for growth, eliminate duplication, and improve overall assortment effectiveness.
• Monitor category performance metrics and recommend data-driven actions to improve sales, margin, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with Sales, Culinary, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams to gather local market intelligence and identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitive opportunities.
• Manage assortment updates, exception SKU requests, dead and slow-moving inventory evaluations, and product conversion initiatives.
• Foster strong relationships with vendor partners, brokers, and suppliers to support category strategies and maximize growth opportunities.
• Facilitate product launches, training programs, and new product introductions to ensure successful execution and adoption across the organization.
• Support customer business reviews, major account bids, product onboarding, and category-specific business opportunities.
• Collaborate with Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) teams to address product-related inquiries and ensure compliance with company standards.
• Serve as a trusted category expert and advisor to Area and Distribution Center leadership teams by providing strategic recommendations and actionable insights.
• Drive organizational change and influence stakeholders to achieve category objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Food Service Management, or a related field required.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of Category Management experience required.
• Experience within foodservice distribution, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, or a related industry strongly preferred.
• Project management experience and leading cross-functional initiatives preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of category management principles, assortment optimization, merchandising strategies, and market analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Proven success influencing stakeholders and driving results within a matrixed organization.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer needs, operational requirements, and financial objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead change initiatives and gain buy-in across multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite; PowerPoint required.
• Experience with business intelligence, sales analytics, and category reporting tools preferred.
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of operating independently in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between

$70,000 - $115,000

• EOE - Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status*