Produce Category Manager

Brief Role Description :

Responsible for driving profitable sales growth of the produce category within a region

Collaborates cross functionally (Sales, Supply Chain, Revenue Management) and across entities (Market, Corporate, Specialty)

Category expert that provides training, product information, regulatory guidance, and market cost guidance to internal and external customers in support of the produce category.

PRIMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Category Strategy

Align with SMS Produce teams to execute strategies

Identify category development opportunities, coordinate with sales teams (leaders, specialists, sales consultants) to propose new business

Ensuring expected compliance and proper support of SMS Produce and Freshpoint.

Analyze data and market insights to understand consumer needs and wants

Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing

Manage site specific market cost decisions on a weekly basis

Collaborating with Regional Revenue Management Director and Regional VP of Merch, utilize available contract programs and resources to provide customer specific pricing for key Regional customers

Provide field feedback on strategies including advising on marketing materials to improve sales

Provide planning team with forecasts for product demand trends

Coordinating new customer on boarding activities

Addressing the needs and concerns of key CMU / LCC contacts within the Region

Assortment Management

Providing product assortment and SKU rationalization recommendations that are aligned with your Region demand

Ensure product availability

Design exit strategies for unsuccessful products

Category Training

Providing SC support through business reviews, customer insight encounters with targeted training and education.

Schedule and manage category sales training of Sales Consultants

Provide timely and effective communication with Sales force including but not limited to market conditions, product quality and availability, new items and applications.

Product Quality / Quality control

Develop and monitor SOPs ensuring that pick locations are checked daily

Collaborating with Operations and Food Safety teams

Work cross-functionally with QA and Operations to generate PDN's – ensure accuracy, timely completion, and submission. Ensure resulting claims are tracked and settled appropriately

Mitigate Expense / Shrink

Works with inventory control to manage expiration dating through SWMS reports.

Works closely with Quality Assurance lead(s) and in conjunction with Operations and Transportation Management

Establish and maintain accountability that all inbound product is inspected thoroughly

Collaborate with QA and Product Support Advisors to ensure quality and integrity of all inbound and outbound Category 11 products

Manage market adherence to GAP / GMP Compliance

Education / Experience :

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions required. Master's degree a plus.

3+ years management / professional experience required (5+ years preferred). Significant produce industry experience, sales, merchandising and / or operations experience within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment preferred.

Strong written & verbal communications skills required

Strong excel skills preferred

Ability to manage & implement innovative strategies to maximize sales & gross profit potential while driving customer loyalty & MA engagement

Skills :

Ability to build high performing teams and enable best practice sharing and support culture

Ability to motivate high-performing teams & enable a culture of best practices

Ability to manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue

Ability to work cross functionally and build relationships across the organization / enterprise

Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of different backgrounds

Collaborative change leader who uses multiple influencing styles to drive change

Analytical thinker who can draw sound business conclusions based on a strong fact base

Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

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