SR DIRECTOR OF CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT - CENTER OF PLATE AND PROTEIN

Job Summary

The primary duty of this position is a leadership role to drive development and implementation of the day-to-day execution of assigned categories (Center of Plate and Protein) and business plans to provide flexibility, responsive, and innovative strategies for growth. Responsible to lead a team for development of category strategy or category member strategy in partnership with some of the largest suppliers in the industry to deliver financial results across a broad range of channels and clients by applying procurement expertise including negotiation, budgeting, and forecasting, aligning customer needs with program opportunities, fostering supplier relationships, and engaging in cross-functional resources to deliver strategies for growth.

Responsibilities:

• Achieve annual financial targets and take ownership for budget setting, ongoing management, and monthly re-forecasting of income at a detailed supplier level for team.
• Develops an end-to-end category strategy, mapping out the current landscape and defining an improvement plan for the near, mid, and long-term to stimulate interest from and engagement with stakeholders.
• Define and execute the strategy for assigned categories, balancing time and focus between growing existing high margin, mature, foodservice focused categories with launching exciting new portfolio offerings to compete in underpenetrated business channels.
• Deliver procurement activities, including enabling the business to self-serve Post Contract Management (PCM), KPI & SLA development and tracking, stakeholder engagement, communications, risk, and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) including business reviews and scorecards.
• Develop and maintain senior stakeholder business relationship to build and win internal and external support for the benefit of the business.
• Work with senior leadership to refine and properly implement and track category utilization and growth initiatives to help drive key business strategies.
• Maintain a robust understanding of markets and commodity dynamics and present opportunities to derive new commercial advantage and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with Distribution to maximize availability of products and propose the most effective route to market.
• Leverage market insights and data to ensure competitive market pricing/cost/value/innovation.
• Create, prioritize, and plan a pipeline of opportunities to deliver the saving objectives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in procurement or category development & 6 years' experience leading a team of direct reports.
• Superior presentation and influencing skills with an ability to liaise at all levels.
• Exceptional customer service and client relationship management.
• A leader in cross-functional collaboration; leveraging category management, sourcing, distribution, and consumer insights to build unrivalled client value.
• Proven record in developing strategic business plans and managing cross-functional projects.
• Strong business acumen and analytical mind.
• Ability to negotiate and build relationships at senior levels.
• High proficiency level with MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Travel up to 20% annually.

Associates at Foodbuy are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance/AD, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, holiday time off (varies by site/state), personal leave, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed remotely, click here for paid time off benefits information.