Disposables Category Manager
Blue Signal Search
The Disposables Category Manager will champion a high-impact portfolio of disposables and chemicals driving strategy that delights customers and accelerates profitable growth.
Work with a tenured leadership team in an established and growing company, offering a robust bonus program, work/life balance, and growth opportunities.
What You’ll Tackle
- Define a best-in-class packaged food and beverage assortment, balancing core volume drivers with health-forward innovations and seasonal demand spikes.
- Own full P&L accountability for your categories, including price architecture, vendor income, promotional ROI, and inventory productivity.
- Translate syndicated data, POS trends, and supply-chain analytics into region-specific action plans that boost sales velocity and reduce spoilage.
- Negotiate multi-year supply programs that lock in competitive costs, favorable terms, and industry-leading fill rates with domestic and global suppliers.
- Build and execute holiday and event calendars (e.g., summer beverage launches, back-to-school pantry programs) to ensure the right mix reaches each warehouse on time.
- Partner with marketing and store operations on eye-level placement, secondary displays, and impulse-zone merchandising.
- Leverage advanced Excel models to forecast demand, flag risks, and brief senior leadership on upside opportunities.
- Ensure every SKU complies with food-safety, labeling, and procurement standards.
- Serve as the resident food and beverage expert, mentoring cross-functional peers and junior analysts.
Ideal Profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field.
- 7+ years of procurement experience.
- Experience managing disposables and/or chemical categories.
- Proven record of supplier negotiation that lifts gross margin and lowers total landed cost.
- Advanced Excel abilities (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, scenario modeling); ERP familiarity with SAP or Oracle preferred.
- Confident communicator who can present to executives and collaborate with warehouse and store teams alike.
Compensation & Perks
- Competitive base salary plus performance bonus.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Generous PTO and paid holidays.
- Employee product discounts, tuition reimbursement, and professional-development stipend.
Why This Role Stands Out
- High visibility: Own a top-selling category in a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
- Innovation runway: Introduce trend-setting products and analytics tools that redefine go-to-market strategy.
- Career springboard: Top performers have a clear path to senior merchandising leadership.
- Hybrid flexibility: Collaborate in person at the Chicago-area HQ while working remotely two days each week for work-life balance.
About Blue Signal:
Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS
Vacancy posted 3 days ago
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