Category Manager at Culinary Depot Spring Valley, NY

Category Manager Culinary Depot is seeking an experienced and strategic Category Manager to lead the development, growth, and optimization of a key product category. This role is not limited to purchasing—it requires full category ownership, including sales enablement, vendor strategy, margin optimization, and cross‑functional leadership. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of analytical thinking, commercial acumen, and cross‑department collaboration. You’ll work closely with sales, marketing, operations, and vendor partners to shape the direction of the category and deliver measurable business results. Key Responsibilities Own the full category lifecycle — from product selection and vendor negotiation to pricing, margin, and sales performance. Develop and execute category strategies aligned with organizational goals and market demand. Partner with sales teams to support product positioning, training, and sales enablement initiatives. Establish and manage vendor relationships, including sourcing, onboarding, contract negotiation, and performance evaluation. Analyze sales, margin, and inventory data to optimize product mix, pricing, and promotional strategies. Collaborate with marketing on product launches, campaigns, and promotional planning. Monitor industry trends, customer behavior, and competitive activity to inform category decisions. Support operational efficiency by partnering with supply chain and planning teams to ensure inventory availability and delivery accuracy. Qualifications Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Merchandising — preferably in foodservice, B2B distribution, or related industries. Demonstrated ability to drive category growth, profitability, and vendor strategy. Strong financial and analytical skills; able to interpret data and translate into actionable plans. Proven success in cross‑functional collaboration (sales, marketing, procurement, operations). Excellent negotiation, communication, and project management skills. Experience with procurement and quoting systems such as AutoQuotes, ERP platforms, or similar tools is a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr