Description Position at Pilgrim's
Category Manager, Prepared Foods
Position Overview:
- We are seeking a strategic, data-driven Prepared Foods Category Manager to own and scale one of the company's highest-growth categories. This role leads end-to-end category strategy across value added chicken portfolios driving revenue growth, margin expansion, innovation, supply optimization and strategic customer growth.
- This leader will proactively operate at the intersection of cross-functional teams including Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations and Sales to deliver enterprise-level impact.
- The scope includes owning the PnL (profit and loss attribution) for the business unit, specifically the product mix and customer segmentation aligned to non-commercial channel operators within Foodservice.
- This role will execute category management fundamentals (price, product, promotion, placement) for the product mix & channel under management including but not limited to; Gross to Net, Trade Management, Cost of Goods, Gross Margin, Product Assortment & Optimization and Channel Go-To-Market Strategy.
- Successful candidates will be;
- A cultural fit, living our values professionally.
- A cross-functional leader, effectively managing indirect reports.
- A challenger of process, driving continuous improvement.
- A category owner (price, promotion, product & placement).
Scope & Financial Accountability
- Own full P&L for a >$300M+ net sales prepared foods portfolio.
- Deliver budgeted annual category growth for volume & net sales.
- Manage gross margin to budget through net, cost and mix optimization.
- Lead pricing & trade strategy in coordination with Revenue Growth Management.
- Drive forecast accuracy and inventory management with Sales & Supply Chain.
Core Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Growth
- Develop and execute 3-year category roadmap aligned with business unit strategy.
- Identify whitespace opportunities in Non-Commercial Foodservice segments, across our branded & private label assortment; with an emphasis on Education (K-12 Schools & Higher Ed) and overlapping contract managed & group purchasing activity & segment priority relevant to the portfolio of managed products.
- Drive the innovation & renovation pipeline specific to the channel in coordination with cross-functional teams w/ direct and indirect ownership.
- Optimize assortment using velocity, margin, and operator insights & analytics.
- Drive and support joint business planning with strategic customers.
Financial & Margin Leadership
- Own gross revenue, gross-to-net trade management, net sales, cost of goods and gross margin to the business per budget.
- Implement cost engineering initiatives across ingredients, packaging, and production in coordination with cross-functional teams.
- Drive mix shift toward high-margin, differentiated SKUs.
- Conduct elasticity modeling and pricing optimization with RGM to support growth.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with Category Development, Revenue Growth Management, Digital Transformation, Brand & Digital Commerce Marketing, Innovation & Project Management, Culinary, Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Finance, Operations, Channel Sales, and strategic customer partners.
- Align cross-functional goals with business unit and category strategy.
- Drive prioritization within the cross functional teams to deliver objectives.
- Manage performance metric implementation and key performance indicators.
- Execute process, cadence and routines specific to the channel.
Operational Optimization
- Improve forecast accuracy and reduce aged & shrink inventory risk.
- Drive process improvements in production scheduling and WOS positions.
- Standardize fundamental processes in support of channel operations.
- Leverage internal and third-party data to track key performance metrics.
Qualifications:
- 7-10+ years of progressive experience in category management, merchandising, marketing or relevant commercial roles.
- 3-5+ years managing perishable food categories in meat or CPG.
- Proven ownership of multi-million-dollar PnL responsibility.
- Demonstrated success negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts.
- Advanced analytical capability (SQL, advanced Excel, BI tools preferred).
- Microsoft Office & Adobe Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Proficiency in third-party reporting toolkits (Circana, Qlik, Dynamics, Telus, etc.).
- Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
- Channel specific experience preferred.
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
- Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
- As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.
The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:
- Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
- Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
- 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
- Base salary range of $127,000 - $171,000;
- Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company's annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
- Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.
The posted salary range represents the Company's good faith estimate of the compensation that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, tenure, internal equity, market data, and may vary accordingly.
This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled.
