Associate Category Manager (Specialty Foods)

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Nassau Candy is a premier importer, manufacturer, and distributor of specialty confections, fine foods, and promotional products. With decades of industry expertise, we take pride in providing high-quality products and exceptional service to retailers nationwide. Our commitment to innovation, integrity, and excellence has made us a leader in the industry. At Nassau Candy, we foster a collaborative and dynamic workplace where growth and teamwork are at the core of our success.

What We Stand For and Where You'll Come In

We are seeking a well-rounded Associate Category Manager to join our growing Gourmet Foods team at our Hicksville, NY office. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to product selection, vendor negotiations, and strategic planning for our expanding gourmet food offerings. If you have a strong background in buying, purchasing, and category management within food manufacturing or distribution, we want to hear from you!

Core Values You'll Embody:

???? Innovation & Growth: Identify and introduce exciting new products to enhance our gourmet food offerings.
???? Collaboration & Relationship Building: Work closely with vendors, sales teams, and internal stakeholders to develop strong partnerships and successful product launches.
???? Strategic & Detail-Oriented Thinking: Analyze product viability, pricing, and market positioning to ensure we maintain a competitive edge.

How You'll Make an Impact Product Sourcing & Category Expansion:

• Suggest new product lines for distribution and identify emerging trends in the gourmet food category.
• Contact manufacturers to obtain pricing, request samples, and assess product potential.
• Analyze new product lines based on competitive placement, key selling points, shelf life, warehouse logistics, and distributor networks.

Vendor & Sales Collaboration:

• Schedule, manage, and participate in meetings and calls with vendors in the specialty foods category.
• Negotiate pricing, programs, and order minimums with new and existing vendors.
• Work closely with vendors and sales teams to coordinate product demonstrations, promotions, and trade show participation.

Product Setup & Marketing Support:

• Gather and organize key vendor information, including UPC codes, pricing, packaging details, and lead times.
• Assist in the setup of new product assortments, including coordinating photography and marketing materials for “What’s New” publications.
• Request and compile sell sheets and samples to support sales and marketing efforts.

Promotional & Trade Show Coordination:

• Work with vendors and sales teams to develop account-specific promotions and sampling programs.
• Coordinate vendor participation for food and candy-related trade shows, ensuring optimal brand representation.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support various department projects and initiatives as needed.
• Assist in maintaining strong internal processes to enhance category performance.

We're Excited About You Because You Have:

✔ Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field.
✔ 2-4 years of buying or purchasing experience in a food manufacturing or distribution environment.
✔ Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
✔ Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
✔ Ability to handle multiple projects effectively and think strategically.
✔ Excellent communication and organizational skills.
✔ Detail-oriented mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
✔ Physical ability to move/unpack boxes of product samples for review.

Why Join Nassau Candy?

???? Competitive Pay
???? Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, AFLAC, Pet Insurance!
???? Vacation & PTO
???? 401(K) Retirement Plan
???? Family-Oriented Company Culture – Business casual attire, team collaboration
???? Employee Discounts on Products
???? Promote-from-within culture with growth opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our workplace.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today! ????