Category Sourcing Manager : Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce)

Category Sourcing Manager : Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce)

Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry, bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai, to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago is where we house our fully integrated food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US, over 2 million square feet of warehousing space, and a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks, we're the go-to when it comes to reliable delivery services. At Conexus Food Solutions, we believe that teamwork and collaboration are the keys to success. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honesty in everything we do and building strong relationships with our clients. We're looking for individuals who share our values and are committed to excellence. Join our team and contribute to our culture of collaboration and integrity while growing your own skills and expertise. Together, we'll deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to our clients and achieve great things.

Position Summary :

The Category Manager for Fresh Proteins and Produce is a critical role within our Strategic Sourcing team, responsible for overseeing and optimizing the procurement of fresh poultry, beef, pork, and a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. This position requires an expert understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within these categories, including commodity market volatility, seasonality, food safety, and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a trading mentality, bringing a proactive, risk-aware, and opportunistic approach to sourcing. They will be a highly skilled negotiator and a proactive problem-solver who can develop and execute strategic sourcing plans to ensure supply continuity, manage risk, and deliver exceptional value.

Key Responsibilities :

• Category Strategy & Market Expertise

Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for fresh proteins (beef, pork, poultry) and fresh produce that align with business goals for quality, cost, and risk management.

Lead the entire sourcing lifecycle, from identifying new suppliers to managing ongoing relationships.

Proactively identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and value-add opportunities within the categories.

Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Quality Assurance, Operations, R&D, and Marketing, to ensure product specifications and sourcing strategies meet business needs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field.

Minimum of [e.g., 5-7] years of strategic sourcing or category management experience, with a focus on fresh food products.

Strong trading mentality characterized by a proactive, data-driven, and opportunistic approach to market fluctuations.

Salary Range : 70K - 100K Benefits Offered :

Sponsorship for Employment

Conexus Food Solutions does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.