Produce Category Manager

Sysco Corporation

$104K — $156K *
Food & Beverages
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; master's preferred.
  • 3+ years of management/professional experience in the produce industry required; 5+ years preferred.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Advanced Excel skills preferred.
  • Experience in sales, merchandising, or operations within retail, wholesale, or distribution.

Responsibilities

  • Drive profitable sales growth of the produce category within the region.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Sales and Supply Chain, to execute category strategies.
  • Analyze data and market insights to meet consumer needs and identify development opportunities.
  • Provide training and product information to both internal and external customers.
  • Manage product assortment and ensure availability while designing exit strategies for poor performers.
  • Monitor product quality and develop SOPs in compliance with food safety standards.
  • Work with inventory control to mitigate shrink and manage product inspections.

Benefits

  • Participation in the Company's Incentive Plan.
  • Access to comprehensive benefits as detailed on SyscoBenefits.com.
Full Job Description

Company:

US0004 Sysco Central California, Inc.

Sales Territory:

None

Zip Code:

95354

Travel Percentage:  

0

Compensation Range:

$104,100.00 - $156,100.00

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws.  Factors that may be used to determine your actual rate of pay include your specific skills, years of experience and other factors.  

You may be eligible to participate in the Company's Incentive Plan.

BENEFITS INFORMATION:

For information on Sysco’s Benefits, please visit https://SyscoBenefits.com

Brief Role Description:

  • Responsible for driving profitable sales growth of the produce category within a region
  • Collaborates cross functionally (Sales, Supply Chain, Revenue Management) and across entities (Market, Corporate, Specialty)
  • Category expert that provides training, product information, regulatory guidance, and market cost guidance to internal and external customers in support of the produce category.

PRIMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Category Strategy

  • Align with SMS Produce teams to execute strategies
  • Identify category development opportunities, coordinate with sales teams (leaders, specialists, sales consultants) to propose new business
  • Ensuring expected compliance and proper support of SMS Produce and Freshpoint.
  • Analyze data and market insights to understand consumer needs and wants
  • Research competitors and suggest appropriate pricing
  • Manage site specific market cost decisions on a weekly basis
  • Collaborating with Regional Revenue Management Director and Regional VP of Merch, utilize available contract programs and resources to provide customer specific pricing for key Regional customers
  • Provide field feedback on strategies including advising on marketing materials to improve sales

Provide planning team with forecasts for product demand trends

  • Coordinating new customer on boarding activities
  • Addressing the needs and concerns of key CMU/LCC contacts within the Region

Assortment Management

  • Providing product assortment and SKU rationalization recommendations that are aligned with your Region demand
  • Ensure product availability
  • Design exit strategies for unsuccessful products

Category Training

  • Providing SC support through business reviews, customer insight encounters with targeted training and education.
  • Schedule and manage category sales training of Sales Consultants
  • Provide timely and effective communication with Sales force including but not limited to market conditions, product quality and availability, new items and applications.

Product Quality/Quality control

  • Develop and monitor SOPs ensuring that pick locations are checked daily
  • Collaborating with Operations and Food Safety teams
  • Work cross-functionally with QA and Operations to generate PDN’s – ensure accuracy, timely completion, and submission. Ensure resulting claims are tracked and settled appropriately

Mitigate Expense/Shrink

  • Works with inventory control to manage expiration dating through SWMS reports.
  • Works closely with Quality Assurance lead(s) and in conjunction with Operations and Transportation Management
  • Establish and maintain accountability that all inbound product is inspected thoroughly
  • Collaborate with QA and Product Support Advisors to ensure quality and integrity of all inbound and outbound Category 11 products
  • Manage market adherence to GAP/GMP Compliance

Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree sufficient to successfully perform essential job functions required. Master’s degree a plus.
  • 3+ years management/professional experience required (5+ years preferred). Significant produce industry experience, sales, merchandising and/or operations experience within a retail, wholesale or distribution environment preferred.
  • Strong written & verbal communications skills required
  • Strong excel skills preferred
  • Ability to manage & implement innovative strategies to maximize sales & gross profit potential while driving customer loyalty & MA engagement

Skills:

  • Ability to build high performing teams and enable best practice sharing and support culture
  • Ability to motivate high-performing teams & enable a culture of best practices
  • Ability to manage conflict and reach quick resolution with facts and dialogue
  • Ability to work cross functionally and build relationships across the organization/enterprise
  • Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of different backgrounds
  • Collaborative change leader who uses multiple influencing styles to drive change
  • Analytical thinker who can draw sound business conclusions based on a strong fact base
  • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

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