Develop implementation plan for produce category and operational strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs.
Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies.
Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs. Ensure weekly produce communication with the sales team. Implement produce strategy with leadership and ensure all quality objectives are met. Work with the corporate team covering delayed trucks and potential shorted items. Communicated market and area needs with our overall corporate strategy. Communicate issues to sellers and customers ahead of arrival with alternatives.
Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff and Specialists. Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities.
Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy.
Work with QAs and replenishment to maintain quality and service levels through good communication and produce operations. Managing local fill in vendors and making sure customers get served. Working with logistics to track critical product in and react if issues arise with local solutions. Work with operations and QA to highlight long items and set plan to move product fast, at a discount as needed.
Education/Training: Four year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required.
Related Experience: Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of Powerpoint is required working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.