Category Manager – Food Service
Northeast Region (Field-based, ~60% travel to stores)
Job Summary
Our client is seeking an experienced Category Manager to maximize profitability in the food service category across a growing chain of convenience stores. The ideal candidate brings convenience store food service knowledge and an entrepreneurial approach to craft strategies that increase sales, reduce waste, and align with operational needs. This hands-on role requires flexibility in a fast-paced setting, willingness to tackle diverse tasks, and potential to support additional categories under the merchandising team. Approximately 60% of the time is spent in the field supporting store operations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
– Possess strong expertise in convenience store food service operations.
– Develop and execute sales plans aligned with the overall food service strategy.
– Collaborate with the merchandising manager on promotions and point-of-purchase materials.
– Analyze performance metrics to guide product development and business decisions.
– Partner with operations to build regionally appropriate food service programs.
– Introduce new food items and initiatives to drive category growth.
– Lead new-item verification, rollout processes, and communication to gain operational support.
– Manage key vendor relationships, including contract negotiations, pricing issues, and problem resolution.
– Review and negotiate costs to capture full margin potential.
– Conduct weekly store visits to assist managers with food service execution.
– Monitor and analyze weekly waste trends, providing solutions to minimize losses.
– Coach store managers on best practices and profitability-driving metrics.
– Oversee product sampling events and internal food reviews.
– Research competitors to inform pricing, promotions, and strategic adjustments.
Compensation: Generous salary commensurate with experience, annual bonus, excellent benefits, car stipend and much more…
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