Associate Category Manager (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote)

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The Associate Category Manager drives category performance through detailed analysis of product assortment, pricing change analysis, including historical changes and future forecasting, vendor proposals and agreements. The position is focused on optimization of category activities to include new product review, assortment review, vendor negotiations, and pricing work related to the assigned category.

New Ways of Work: This position has been segmented as hybrid meaning the work is a combination of 3 days onsite In Rosemont, IL (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 2 days remotely (Monday and Friday) as defined by the role segmentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Manage and provide detailed analysis of assigned category performance including growth objectives.  Analysis will focus on the areas of product assortment, pricing, promotions, new product introductions, and pricing changes.  Maintain regular reports to track performance and identify impact of variables on category performance against established metrics. Identify and report on trends, changes and opportunities.  Provide suggestions aimed at increasing category performance.
• Manage and maintain relationships with vendors leading product reviews, identification and assessment of opportunities and negotiating promotions for conferences. Negotiate with vendors who currently do not have in-place agreements with US Foods. 
• Review and assess vendor performance reports, identify issues and provide recommendations to Category Manager.
• Conduct product assortment review and analysis, identifying top-performing SKUs by division and region. Identify areas for potential growth and analyze impact of proposed assortment changes. Recommend changes and actions aimed at enhancing category effectiveness and performance.
• Review category pricing reports on a regular basis, identifying potential pricing issues and opportunities. Conduct a detailed analysis on the impact of pricing and assortment changes and provide findings and recommendations to the Category Manager. Support the category by developing category specific communications, including product launch support materials.
• Maintain close relations with US Foods regions and divisions with the objective of understanding critical requirements and perspectives and ensuring that their needs are addressed in the overall category strategy. Liaise with divisions to resolve escalated merchandising issues.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal: Work across all levels of USF staff within corporate, region and divisional organizations, up to and including corporate executive leadership.
• External: Manage relationships with multiple critical vendors and work closely with external third parties, vendors and consulting firms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid: This role is partially remote, and the associate is expected to perform assigned responsibilities from a combined home-based and office-based environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 years of Category Management or related experience in retail, food service or with a consumer goods company.
• Experience in vendor relations, pricing and management of product assortment.
• Ability to operate successfully in a matrix environment and work effectively across multiple groups and levels.
• Solid quantitative and analytical skills and the ability to work in a team setting.
• Possess, or be able to rapidly develop, a strong knowledge of products within assigned category and division sales requirements. 
•  Ability to provide fact-based recommendations across various levels of management.
• High degree of motivation, ability to prioritize and self-direct, strong business acumen and sound interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills. 
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Microsoft Outlook.

EDUCATION

• Four year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Category Management or related experience in foodservice or food manufacturing.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Standard required physical activities including length of time performing each activity.

This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus.

​Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.

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Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds).  The expected base rate for this role is between

$75,000 - $120,000

***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***