Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

As a Category Manager for Bunzl, you will be responsible for developing the short term and long term (2-4 year) comprehensive sourcing strategy. You will have overall strategy management and decision authority for a category of non-consumable products related to Grocery, Food Service, Janitorial and food processor/production business segments. Some example categories are Towel & Tissue, Paper & Plastic bags, Straws and To-go Containers. 

In addition to product mix and vendor selection, you will drive comprehensive pricing guidance, private label development, and sustainable product lines. As a Category manager, you are also responsible for managing strategic supplier relationships (Import & Domestic) and defining the appropriate sourcing strategy for the entire category. An ideal candidate will have proven success in developing and managing strategic relationships with domestic and import manufacturers in order to maximize product profitability throughout its full lifecycle. 

This is a United States, remote role. An ideal candidate will sit near one of our HUB locations and have convenient airport access. Example HUB locations are, St. Louis MO, Chicago IL, Philadelphia PA, Atlanta GA, Pheonix AZ, Seattle WA, Dallas TX, Kansas City MO or Los Angeles CA. Candidates can expect 25-35% overnight travel, including at least one, 2 week (consecutive) international trip per year.

  Responsibilities:

• Ownership of assigned product category performance and management of the overall health of the portfolio.
• Strategic engagement with supplier community to develop and implement initiatives that enable profitable growth.
• Monitor the health of assigned categories and manage the product lifecycle.
• Develop category and market expertise that allows the organization to effectively compete in target market segments; this includes market trends and competitive analysis, as inputs to the development of our assortment strategy.
• Leverage market intelligence to validate and benchmark costs and competitive pricing.
• Monitor market needs and trends, competitive products, and the changing production schedules of approved manufacturers to improve competitive positioning.
• Work to develop "Best Value" product opportunities that include best performance, customer acceptance, and continuous improvement.
• Develop product pricing policies and negotiate best cost vendor programs to improve product positioning while improve margin.
• Rationalize and consolidate product lines to improve inventory turns and create volume cost improvement opportunities.
• Manage on-going supplier relationships and execute supplier performance management initiatives in accordance with standards and guidelines and in collaboration with business partners.
• Manage multiple projects and initiatives within assigned categories with the ability to meet defined timelines and provide proactive status communication to business partners
• Establish category ownership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work with sales staff on special product requirements and costing. Work to improve go-to-market strategy and speed of new product implementation.
• Problem solving and recommending new and different packaging products as they become available.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in Category Management or relevant business experience is required.
• Strong experience in developing and driving both short- and long-term category plans.
• Import procurement experience is strongly preferred.
• Distribution experience strongly preferred. 
• Solid knowledge of marketing and sales principles.
• Demonstrated highly developed experience in negotiation practices.
• Strong ability to assess and manage contractual, operational, financial and business risk.
• Working knowledge of the raw materials used in food service, janitorial and processor packaging is preferred with an existing working relationship with packaging material manufacturers is preferred.
• A strong ability to create a partnership atmosphere with internal and external stakeholder to achieving key business objectives.
• Exceptional EQ and influencing skills are required; Ability to work collaboratively across multi-functional teams.
• A strong relationship builder who is able to foster excellent relationships and gain credibility quickly across all levels of the organization.
• The ability to develop and drive strategy recommendations through the organization, showing initiative across functions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office mandatory (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Ability to do 25-35% overnight travel, including at least one, 2 week (consecutive) international trip and overnight trips to Corporate (St. Louis, Mo) every few months.

  What's in it for you? 

The perks of being a Bunzl team member don’t stop at being part of a great team or being valued as our #1 asset. We offer a full range of benefits to help our employees take care of themselves and their families today, tomorrow and for the future.

• Bunzl salary range for this role is $100,000- $145,000 (+bonus) based on education, experience and location.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available to employees and eligible dependents starting the first day of the month after 30 days of employment (unless otherwise specified by a collective bargaining agreement).
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match of $0.75 per $1.00 contributed, up to 6% of eligible pay, available after 30 days.
• Paid time off, including (Pro-rated based on hire date):
  • 10 vacation days and 2 personal days annually (prorated in the first year based on hire date).
  • 40 hours annual sick pay (56 hours sick pay per year for candidates hired in Washington, in accordance with Washington State law).
  • 6 paid national holidays and 2 floating holidays
• Please refer to the Benefits & Perks section on our career webpage for more details
• Any leave required under federal, state, or local law, as applicable, such as leave under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act
• Bunzl accepts ongoing applications
• Notice to all Philadelphia, PA Applicants: There will be a criminal background check conducted that will include an individualized assessment based on your specific record, job duties, and job requirements

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Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non-Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions to sales in excess of $10 billion. Bunzl North America is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Bunzl North America owns and operates more than 100 warehouses and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 5,000 employees and 400,000 plus supplies, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America.

Bunzl Distribution has a tradition of commitment to equal employment opportunity. It is the established policy to attract and retain the best qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status as provided by law. 

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