Category Manager at IMA Foodservice Houston, TX

About the Role
Category Manager is responsible for assisting in the creation of and implementing business plans for a specific range of Food Service categories and products. The Category Manager collaborates with Food Service Suppliers, IMA Members, and the IMA team to assist in RFP negotiations, conduct category analytics, foster relationships, and bring value added solutions for his or her areas of responsibility.

THIS ROLE IS NOT FULLY REMOTE

Hybrid: work in office Mo/Tu/Th, remote option W/F (driven by the business calendar)

Location: Houston, TX

Responsibilities

Implement business plans using market trend analysis, to source the right quality products at the lowest possible cost to maximize profitability

Negotiate RFPs for certain products under the guidance of the Category Director

Monitor post RFP progress and recommend solutions for underperforming areas

E BRAND assortment recommendations based on market intelligence, member requests and other analysis

Determine category and item gaps and recommend solutions with expected impact

Develop and maintain supplier relationships to expand available options for product supply

Research product innovation for additional line items as well as packaging innovation, packaging project set up, review, and approval

Develop and manage one direct report – Category Analyst

Share category and industry knowledge with Analysts

Develop and share best practices for BI tools (Attribytes, NPD, Datassential)

Organize member category team calls (setup, agenda, moderating)

Provide category insights to the IMA Members

Manage internal relationships to achieve optimum results as a team

Meet financial targets for categories including sales service fees, marketing program, expenses and other related matrix

Some travel required

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

3-5 years of category management and/or relevant business management experience

Bachelor’s degree required

Required Skills

Proven experience as a category manager or similar, with excellent negotiation techniques

Expertise in analyzing multiple data sources to devise recommendations for the development of business plans

People management & development skills

Manage the execution of varied activities across different teams

Solution oriented, collaborator, consensus builder

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Integrity is part of their DNA

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