Category Manager (Produce and Dairy)
Ben E. Keith Company, Albuquerque, NM, United States
New Mexico Food, 601 Ben E Keith Way NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
Job Description
Posted Friday, April 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM
For more than a century, Ben E. Keith Company has been a leader in fine food and premium beverage distribution, and we strive to consistently exceed our customers’ expectations.
Our Food Division is a complete broad line multi-state distributor, and our Beverage Division operates throughout the state of Texas as a proud distributor of Anheuser‑Busch products, craft and import beer brands, spirits, and wine.
We are dedicated to the growth and success of our business, our customers, and our employees—continuing our commitment to delivering quality since 1906.
The purpose of the Category Manager is to maximize category sales and gross profit within the assigned category, thereby effecting positive results on the company’s overall market share.
Responsibilities
Represent Ben E. Keith with professionalism, maintain a positive attitude and follow dress code
Maximize sales within assigned category in order to increase branch profitability and overall gross company profit
Manage the day-to-day tasks and perform training of Purchasing Managers and Purchasing Assistants to ensure optimal performance of the Purchasing division
Perform administrative functions and data analysis supporting key sales initiatives, including retailer performance and various ad hoc analysis to streamline and enhance the buying process
Manage vendor relationships to drive continuous improvement
Monitor performance of products within assigned category in order to achieve budgeted goals
Provide feedback to Director of Purchasing related to performance of direct reports
Ensure quality and packaging standards are met and maintained
Educate District Sales Reps and associated personnel involved in the Purchasing function on products with assigned category
Qualifications
3 years of Purchasing or equivalent business experience
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint applications
Previous management experience preferred
Valid driver’s license is required for driving to perform company business
Ability to write reports, correspondence and communications and effectively present information to vendors and employees in a written and/or verbal format
Ability to prioritize multiple projects, assignments and tasks, monitoring use of time and appropriately using equipment, facilities and materials to provide timely and quality responses
Ability to learn and use all Ben E. Keith applications
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business or related industry.
Benefits
Short and Long Term Disability
401K with matching contribution
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
Educational Assistance Program
Paid Vacation and holidays
Employee Credit Union
Ben E. Keith (BEK) Company is one of the largest food and beverage distributors in the United States. We are a family-owned business with a long-standing tradition of supporting the diverse communities in which we live and work. Our competitive employee benefits provide health and financial protection to our employees and their families.
We have sought to create an environment in which the contributions of each employee at Ben E. Keith are fully valued. This means more than simply treating one another with respect; it also means considering how all our people can positively impact the quality of the decisions we make about our business.
Here at Ben E. Keith, we recognize that our workforce reflects the increasingly diverse nature of our society, and we want to do all we can to take advantage of that diversity with both our external and internal customers. We believe our differences are also our strengths and we want to do all we can to use those strengths to find more creative solutions for the business challenges we face. Ben E. Keith is an equal employment opportunity, affirmative action employer. VEVRAA Federal Contractor
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Job Description
Posted Friday, April 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM
For more than a century, Ben E. Keith Company has been a leader in fine food and premium beverage distribution, and we strive to consistently exceed our customers’ expectations.
Our Food Division is a complete broad line multi-state distributor, and our Beverage Division operates throughout the state of Texas as a proud distributor of Anheuser‑Busch products, craft and import beer brands, spirits, and wine.
We are dedicated to the growth and success of our business, our customers, and our employees—continuing our commitment to delivering quality since 1906.
The purpose of the Category Manager is to maximize category sales and gross profit within the assigned category, thereby effecting positive results on the company’s overall market share.
Responsibilities
Represent Ben E. Keith with professionalism, maintain a positive attitude and follow dress code
Maximize sales within assigned category in order to increase branch profitability and overall gross company profit
Manage the day-to-day tasks and perform training of Purchasing Managers and Purchasing Assistants to ensure optimal performance of the Purchasing division
Perform administrative functions and data analysis supporting key sales initiatives, including retailer performance and various ad hoc analysis to streamline and enhance the buying process
Manage vendor relationships to drive continuous improvement
Monitor performance of products within assigned category in order to achieve budgeted goals
Provide feedback to Director of Purchasing related to performance of direct reports
Ensure quality and packaging standards are met and maintained
Educate District Sales Reps and associated personnel involved in the Purchasing function on products with assigned category
Qualifications
3 years of Purchasing or equivalent business experience
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint applications
Previous management experience preferred
Valid driver’s license is required for driving to perform company business
Ability to write reports, correspondence and communications and effectively present information to vendors and employees in a written and/or verbal format
Ability to prioritize multiple projects, assignments and tasks, monitoring use of time and appropriately using equipment, facilities and materials to provide timely and quality responses
Ability to learn and use all Ben E. Keith applications
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business or related industry.
Benefits
Short and Long Term Disability
401K with matching contribution
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
Educational Assistance Program
Paid Vacation and holidays
Employee Credit Union
Ben E. Keith (BEK) Company is one of the largest food and beverage distributors in the United States. We are a family-owned business with a long-standing tradition of supporting the diverse communities in which we live and work. Our competitive employee benefits provide health and financial protection to our employees and their families.
We have sought to create an environment in which the contributions of each employee at Ben E. Keith are fully valued. This means more than simply treating one another with respect; it also means considering how all our people can positively impact the quality of the decisions we make about our business.
Here at Ben E. Keith, we recognize that our workforce reflects the increasingly diverse nature of our society, and we want to do all we can to take advantage of that diversity with both our external and internal customers. We believe our differences are also our strengths and we want to do all we can to use those strengths to find more creative solutions for the business challenges we face. Ben E. Keith is an equal employment opportunity, affirmative action employer. VEVRAA Federal Contractor
#J-18808-Ljbffr