Now Hiring - US Foods, Inc. - Area Category Manager - Cookeville / Knoxville Area in Cookeville, TN

Full description of the position

This role is in-person, not remote. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday > 8am - 5pm (flexible) Location: 535 Dry Valley Rd, Cookeville, TN 38506 or 369 Kings court, Alcoa, TN 37701 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop implementation plan for category strategy customized for multiple Distribution Centers. Ensure implementation is in alignment with overall US Foods category strategy and goals and defined Area needs. * Review assigned Area product assortment and gauge product penetration, noting slow or dead SKUs as well as growth opportunities. * Responsible for profitable sales growth within assigned categories for their Area. * Request exception SKUs, as needed, to finalize Area assortment, determine DWOs, and create conversion plans. * Ensure Area product assortment is in alignment with US Foods category strategy and work to reduce SKU duplication. * Ensure all local customer needs are met and are aligned with the national strategies. * Maintain lead role in consistently gathering local market data for multiple DCs in assigned Area (including trends) through feedback and intelligence from culinary team, sales staff, and vendor partners. * Report new product opportunities and provide data on competitors. Finalize Area assortment and core complement and exception SKUs. * Facilitate product training and new product introductions, with DSS, Specialists and sales staff. * Ensure product/brand message is in alignment with overall USF strategy. * Work closely with the culinary team, conducting planning meetings to identify accounts and categories and their potential opportunities. * Support and facilitate all FSQA inquiries for the assigned Area through appropriate procedures and work closely with the Region team on any national or regional vendor issues. * Support major Area-specific account bids through thorough analysis, coordinate customer on-boarding, and keep sales staff informed of ongoing category strategy. SUPERVISION None RELATIONSHIPS Internal: Regional, Area and Distribution Center staff, up to and including members of the leadership team. External: Customers, vendors, suppliers and all national / local food brokers. QUALIFICATIONS Education/Training: Four-year college degree in business or related field, or equivalent field experience required. Related Experience : Minimum 7 years category management experience required, with some project management experience preferred, ideally this experience will derive from the food service or food manufacturing industries. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: * Must possess the ability to operate successfully within a matrix organization, working effectively with multiple groups. * Must be able to work in a team setting, drive organizational transformations and support change management within the organization. * Must be able to provide fact-based recommendations across a variety of management levels resulting in buy-in and improvement in category performance. * Must be self-directed and highly motivated, possessing a strong business acumen, sound interpersonal skills, and excellent presentation skills. * Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and Excel required; working knowledge of PowerPoint is required, working knowledge of Microsoft Access a plus.