Senior Manager Category Management

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of this position consists of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversees the day-to-day management of the category, to include communication, execution, quoting and contract proposals, service level management (of customers and suppliers), and reporting

• Leads innovation within the category, differentiating our offering through packaging, varietals, supply chain efficiencies, etc. to remain relevant and competitive in the marketplace

• Leverages negotiation expertise on the buy and sell side to advise on transactional, promotional, and contract pricing decisions.

• Manages the most strategic grower relationships, working to continually improve performance of the category through consistent cadence of grower reviews

• Responsible to actively manage a pipeline of new grower/shipper prospects to onboard and customer targets identified in partnership with sales counterparts

• Participates as the divisional category expert in the largest opportunity customer meetings

• Consistently and effectively educates internal teams about all aspects of the category: varieties, seasonality, growing regions, farming practices and influence yields, quality, supply chain cost components, regulatory compliance, etc.

• Develops the divisional strategy and supply plan to meet the requirements of the customer base and enable the growth and profitability in the category

• Provides daily coaching and performance management.  Outlines employee role accountabilities and expectations; manages performance to drive the right behaviors and improve results and provides useful real-time coaching, development activities and stretch assignments; supports employees with problem resolution

• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned according to the team and/or country specific requirements

Talent Management:

• Partners with Talent Acquisition to establish a pipeline, recruit, select, and onboard qualified and diverse talent

• Manages annual merit and equity programs for assigned team to align compensation with performance results

• Outlines employee role accountabilities and expectations; manages performance to drive the right behaviors and improve results and provides useful real-time coaching, feedback, and mentoring, development activities and stretch assignments; supports employees with problem resolution

• Encourages employee feedback through formal and informal channels.  Work with next level manager to acknowledge and take action on feedback to drive a trusting culture of open two-way communication, inclusivity, collaboration and continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Minimum 7 years buying and selling experience in fresh produce industry

• Minimum 3 years of leading and managing team(s) 

• Ability to travel up to 50% (domestically and internationally)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university

• Experience across multiple categories or complex supply chains

• Previous supervisory experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs

• Recognized as a category expert in the industry

• Solid financial acumen with deep knowledge of category financials

• Excellent relationship building skills with customers, growers, and internal teams

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Skilled negotiator with growers and customers

• Demonstrated ability to mentor, lead, and develop others

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to make data-driven decisions

• Strategic and innovative mindset, able to develop and drive initiatives from conception to implementation

• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment, sometimes out of normal business hours

• Attention to detail with high standards for work; a customer service mindset

• Values a diverse and inclusive work environment