Category Manager

Company: KeHE
Location: Naperville
Posted on: September 17, 2020

Job Description:

Overview

Good people, working with good people, for our common good.

Sound good?

KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Primary Responsibilities

The Category Manager is responsible for being a subject matter expert in market dynamics affecting natural, specialty, and/or fresh categories. The individual in this position will maintain KeHE’s reputation as a best-in-class distributor, while achieving their goals and objectives. A successful candidate will have a strong understanding of analytics and data to maximize category sales and margin, while developing a category strategy with a curated, balanced brand portfolio. As with all positions at KeHE, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Essential Functions

Identify and monitor consumer and product trends and insights to support category strategies and supplier negotiations through multiple sources, including but not limited to:KeHE internal metrics, including supplier performanceProduct attribute, category, and retail channel trendsConsumer behavior shiftsShopper purchase patternsMarket visits, trade shows, industry events

Manage existing suppliers and brokers to ensure a continuous flow of relevant line-extensions, promotional support, and performance reviews.

Forage for innovative products that will shape the future through strategic involvement with industry partners, shows, publications, etc., while creating a highly curated brand portfolio. Proactively seize non-traditional, horizontal assortment growth opportunities.

Nurture small and emerging brands to increase industry knowledge and maximize marketplace potential, while maintaining supplier partnerships with predictable performers.

Define purpose and role of category within KeHE portfolio and set, measure, and track specific category metrics to ensure performance success.

Translate data into actionable and innovative insights to create turn-key, influential solutions for KeHE’s sales team and retailer partners. Generate industry leading category reviews and brand selling tools and effectively communicate and present information to relevant audience.

Develop impactful promotional programs and marketing events with existing and new suppliers that align with determined go-to-market strategy.

Maintain highly competitive marketing fund agreements and methods to optimize sales and assortment productivity throughout KeHE’s nationwide distribution network.

Participate in planning, developing, enhancing and implementing KeHE shows and events to meet attendance and performance objectives.

Organize and lead meetings with both internal stakeholders and external vendor partners.

Work collaboratively with various departments within KeHE to achieve traction for new products, programs, and sales growth associated with category strategies.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

4-year bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study.

Experience within the food industry with 3+ years of Category and/or Sales Management.

Demonstrate facility using syndicated purchase data, consumption data, panel/demographic data, and consumer insights (e.g. IRI, SPINS, Nielsen, Mintel, CSIA, ShopperSights).

Natural, specialty, and/or fresh product knowledge with ability to provide examples of facilitation of selling category and product solutions (e.g. presentation, webinar, tools).

Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Possess a sense of urgency and attention to accuracy and detail.

Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and often with minimal direction or time conflicting pressures.

Willingness to travel domestically, occasionally over weekends (about 20-35%).

Keywords: KeHE, Naperville , Category Manager, Other , Naperville, Illinois