Category Operations Manager - Area

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.