Category Manager, Produce

Job Description

Job Description

At Ferraro Foods, we are more than a distributor—we're a trusted partner to restaurants, pizzerias, retailers, and foodservice operators across the country. Through strong supplier partnerships, innovative product solutions, and an unwavering commitment to quality, we help our customers succeed every day.

We're looking for an experienced Category Manager in Produce to help manage and grow our fresh produce business. This is a great opportunity for someone with strong produce and category management experience who is ready to take greater ownership of a category and continue growing their career within a dynamic foodservice organization.

If you're passionate about fresh produce, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy working with suppliers and cross-functional teams to drive category performance, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Manage the day-to-day performance and development of Ferraro Foods' produce category, supporting strategies that drive sales growth, improve profitability, strengthen supplier partnerships, and enhance our competitive position.
• Manage supplier relationships, participate in sourcing initiatives and RFPs, negotiate pricing and vendor programs, and identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, service, and assortment.
• Conduct category reviews and analyze sales, margin, market, and customer data to identify opportunities for growth and assortment optimization.
• Partner closely with Sales and Marketing to support promotional programs, new product introductions, customer initiatives, and vendor-funded opportunities.
• Monitor produce market trends, commodity pricing, seasonality, availability, and consumer demand to help inform purchasing and category decisions.
• Work cross-functionally with Procurement, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to support product quality, inventory availability, forecasting, and supply chain continuity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, shippers, distributors, and other supplier partners.
• Serve as a produce resource for internal teams, providing category insights and supporting sales and customer needs.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a commercially minded category professional with strong knowledge of fresh produce and experience within foodservice, wholesale distribution, or a related environment.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience managing suppliers, analyzing category performance, supporting sourcing and negotiations, evaluating assortments, and working cross-functionally to drive results.

This role is well suited for someone who has built a strong foundation in category management, procurement, merchandising, or sourcing and is ready to take on broader category responsibility with continued opportunity for professional growth.

The Ingredients for Success

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in Category Management, Procurement, Merchandising, Buying, or Strategic Sourcing, preferably with a focus on fresh produce.
• Experience within foodservice distribution, wholesale produce, grocery distribution, or a closely related industry strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with supplier management, sourcing, RFPs, pricing negotiations, vendor programs, and/or contract management.
• Experience analyzing category performance, product assortments, sales, margins, and market trends.
• Strong understanding of produce sourcing, seasonality, commodity markets, forecasting, inventory planning, and supplier dynamics.
• Strong commercial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities to improve sales, margin, assortment, and overall category performance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Operations, and other cross-functional partners.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Food Science, Marketing, Finance, or a related field preferred.

Why Ferraro Foods?

This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of an important category while continuing to develop your expertise and career within a growing organization. You'll work closely with experienced leaders, supplier partners, and cross-functional teams while gaining exposure to broader category strategy and commercial initiatives.

For someone looking to take the next step in category management, this role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact while continuing to grow into broader leadership responsibilities over time.

The Details

• Location: Piscataway, NJ (On-site)
• Schedule: Monday – Friday | Standard Business Hours
• Travel: Approximately 10–20% to support supplier relationships, customer meetings, regional teams, and industry events.
• Compensation: $100K–$125K, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with company contribution, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and additional voluntary benefits.

If you're ready to take the next step in your category management career and help grow an important part of the Ferraro Foods business, we'd love to hear from you.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Ferraro Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Mon - Fri | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM