CATEGORY BUSINESS MANAGER - PRODUCE AND LOCAL MEAT & SEAFOOD (REMOTE)

The primary duty of this position is the day-to-day execution alongside of the account managers and the category development team aligning customer needs with commercial opportunities in order to maximize the value of negotiated programs.  Duties include project management with multiple customers, hands-on analysist and building relationships with internal and external partners.

***REMOTE work location from anywhere in the US***

Responsibilities:
•    Identify cost reduction opportunities for customers while increasing preferred supplier sales and company revenue
•    Working with account managers, gain customer commitment to convert product purchases to negotiated supplier programs to achieve cost savings and margin improvements
•    Manage supplier base to provide best value and support for our customers, holding both ourselves and our supplier base accountable for most competitive programs possible and a great service experience
•    Identify cost reduction opportunities for customers while increasing preferred supplier sales and company revenue
•    Develop and execute a category strategy with manager's support that meets company and customer targets
•    Establish price benchmarks and negotiate with suppliers to ensure our programs are competitive for customers in all business segments
•    Provide support with customer culinary team and supplier partners to identify product recommendations based on quality, value, yield, application, etc.
•    Act as lead resource for customer requests related to assigned categories
•    Work with Human Resources staff to recruit, interview, select, hire, and employ an appropriate number of employees
•    Provide oversight and direction to the employees in the department in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures
•    Coach, mentor and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and opportunities
•    Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
•    5+ years of category management, or customer account management experience
•    Bachelor’s degree strongly recommended or equivalent work experience
•    Experience of broader aspects of supply chain, as well as providing evidence of a broader business perspective such as balancing cost, value, risk & opportunity
•    Ability to extract insights from complex data sets using advanced excel skills
•    High attention to detail and exceptional work quality
•    Strong networking skills, ability to influence and get things done through informal as well as formal channels
•    Evidence of an ability to work cross-functionally and influence at senior levels
•    Excellent customer/client relationship building skills, both internally and externally
•    Strong influencing skills to persuade people’s attitudes, behaviors, and decisions to desired results
•    Strong negotiation experience
•    Outstanding presentation skills
•    High proficiency level with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint required
•    Travel rarely required, but could be up to 5% annually