Category Manager Fresh Food

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Req ID:u00a0292730u00a0u00a0BASIC PURPOSE: Expert in the fresh food category of products, the Category Manager will develop and execute a strategic plan for the category, to maximize category results through program/product innovation, key vendor development, and effective inventory management. Responsibilities include in-store retailing of Fresh Foods, category profitability; vendor management; sourcing on-trend and healthy products/ ingredients; pricing and marketing; point of contact to support retail with ordering, pricing, labeling, shelving, marketing, and promotion of products; assisting with new market openings and company-wide rollouts. Creating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with business partners as well as a high level of knowledge about customer interests are critical to being successful in this position. Responsibilities also include leadership and/or involvement in the following processes: ordering, pricing, labeling, shelving, marketing, and promotions of products within the category as well as coordinating in-house production of fresh products by Deli Foodservice.u00a0MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES:Category Management, Strategic Planning Execution, and Inventory Supply Chain:Lead, contribute to and execute the strategic plan for the categoryLaunch/expand successful programs and product lines and implement successful exit strategies for unproductive merchandiseLaunch line reviews in support of customer and seasonal expectationsMaximize category results through key vendor development and program/product innovationLeverage fact-based decision making to drive growth and profitability.Build a strong control label program as a core anchor to product identification, nutritional labeling, ingredient disclosure and consistency to brand standardsPartner with QA teams to ensure proper handling of fresh productsBalance projected forecasts and actual sales in order to create trend forecastsUsing trend forecasts, set ordering guidelines to effectively maximize the profitability of inventory flow that would account for every-day and promotional movement,Pricing and Marketing:Recommend/set every-day and promotional pricing points in order to competitively position productsExecute and deliver competitive indexesAdjust pricing in order to manage flow of inventory and maximize productivity, as determined by consumer demandBuild strong programs on pricing to support everyday essentialsPosition private label to win, with value and qualityBuild marketing calendars to support key business growth and differentiationThrough planogram use, effectively plan the shelving adjacency of productsPartner with media team in the development of marketing vehicles to support category goals and objectives.Vendor Management:Effectively communicate to build cooperative relationships with market manufacturers and distributorsMaximize supplier profitability and contribution per skuDevelop new sources for ingredients, products and product developmentDevelop strategic alliances based on innovation and product developmentNegotiate pricing, vendor programs, delivery, and payment termsFacilitate mutually beneficial agreements around promotional opportunities and supportBe first to market in new products, innovation and points of differentiationProduct/Inventory Management:Monitor suppliers and work with them to manage all parts of product purchasing process related to Prepared Foods Ingredients/Products, Product Turns, Expiration Dates. etc.Monitor and update order guides and production system pars and waste by kitchenResponsibility includes subcategories of products including:Fresh made sandwiches, salads, wraps, snack boxes made internallyFresh made sandwiches, salads, wraps, snack boxes made by 3rd party commissaries for some airportsFresh bakery productFresh pre-packaged products: CPG/Ready-madeDessertsu00a0SKILLS:Product knowledge in the prepared foods category required. Natural/organic grocery management experience preferred.Proficient using MS Office, Excel, database and word processing programs.Exceptional organization and attention to detail.Strong financial analysis skills.Strong decision-making, negotiation, and leadership skills.Ability to multi- task and succeed in a fast-paced environment.Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.u00a0EXPERIENCE:Bacheloru2019s degree in business, retailing, management, sales, or marketing preferredMust have at least 5 yearsu2019 experience in grocery retail, with a preference in the areas of programming and execution in the prepared foods category.Must have prior experience with purchasing/buying products at a corporate or chain retail level.Must have prior experience with product purchasing, negotiating, financial analysis, and inventory control.Previous P&L management required.Previous experience in grocery/supermarket foodservice is preferred.Previous experience with planogram execution required.Previous role(s) in category management, to include broker/vender/supplier relationships preferred.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Must be able to work in a professional office setting with extensive computer and telephone use on a daily basis.Must be willing to travel to airports on a regular basis and tradeshows on an occasional basis.Environmental Conditions: works in a fast-paced environment with a focus on customer service.u00a0Job Function(s): Corporateu00a0u00a0Loveu2019s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the industry-leading travel stop network in the United States. For more than 55 years, weu2019ve provided customers with highway hospitality and u201cClean Places, Friendly Faces.u201d Weu2019re passionate about serving drivers with clean, modern facilities stocked with fuel, food and supplies. We offer meals from popular restaurant chains, trucking supplies, showers and everything needed to get back on the road quickly. The Loveu2019s Family of Companies includes:Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industryu2019s safest trucking fleetsSpeedco, the light mechanical and trucking service specialistsMusket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and traderTrillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expertu00a0

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