A Fresh Approach To Great Results.
Charlotte-based Compass Group North America is the leader in foodservice management and support services. By combining fresh ideas with the industry’s greatest talent, we continue to set the standards for food and service excellence. Our vision for success is a powerful one – to continue to rise above the competition in every aspect of our business – from leading-edge technology, to purchasing, to foodservice, to catering and vending, to facilities management and support services. That kind of commitment commands only the best, and it's our great people providing great service that generates our great results. In turn, it’s important to us that our talented employees be given the proper resources to achieve their fullest potential. Play a key role in our future success:
Job Description:
Foodbuy is the foodservice industry’s leading Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) focused on lowering purchasing and product costs for foodservice organizations.
This Category Development Manager will focus on promoting opportunity buys to our regional culinary leaders. Opportunity buys are typically high quality overrun or excess product from food manufacturers which Foodbuy partners with.
The Category Development Manager has various levels of responsibility depending on category experience, channel knowledge (sales, marketing, logistics and foodservice based operations) that will range from complete oversight/management of a category business plans to key support roles in maximizing development of assigned category. In these roles, Foodbuy's Category Development Managers are expected to own the categories, managing the roles from a General Manager perspective, to drive end to end value for internal and external stakeholders.
This position is based in our Charlotte, NC office.
Responsibilities:
- Develop Sourcing Strategy in conjunction with key business partners to address and meet business needs
- In conjunction with the key business stakeholders, initiate, direct and conduct all activities related to negotiating, evaluating, selecting and executing preferred supplier contracts
- Conduct industry analysis to provide proactive insight to 3 year category strategy
- Provide industry expertise and assistance to the customer for assigned commodity. Be an expert in the category including but not limited to participation in industry specific associations and relationship building with Distributors.
- Identify and document required specifications, grade and case pack of products to provide highest quality at competitive cost
- Negotiate and develop long-term relationships with strategic suppliers and distributors
- Ensure the range of services and/or products has been sourced and negotiated at the lowest net price to maximize business profitability & meet service needs
- Establish & maintain a master contact management system for all vendors within scope:
- Identify preferred supplier/distributor pool
- Key contact information
- Quality Assurance personnel
- Performance evaluations
- Execution of required products and services
- Responsible for development of comprehensive strategy reports and presents to Senior Management.
- Design cost savings projects across multiple commodities and services
- Provide operational direction to the category procurement activity and seek to add value to Local procurement activities by developing processes which support the overall strategy
- Acquire and communicate market knowledge regarding the industries in which the vendors participate
Project Management
- Accountable for achieving financial and value optimization targets developed as part of annual category planning
- Create and update project progress plans to reflect necessary activities, savings, cost and timing
- Work as a close liaison with Operations to determine best feasible products, alternate options and sources
- Ensure projects are upheld to business standards prior to implementation. Areas of focus include but not limited to; quality, regulatory and legal compliance, consumer acceptance and supply chain deployment
- Monitor all sourcing projects and provide reports on savings, associated timing and costs
- Lead regular meetings with cross functional project teams for adherence to deliverables and timing
Qualifications
- 3+ years product and category management experience required; significant sales/account management experience in retail or food service food brokerage is highly desirable
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred; significant related commodity specific experience may be considered in lieu of education for certain level roles
- Experience of broader aspects of supply chain, as well as providing evidence of a broader business perspective such as balancing cost, value, risk & opportunity.
- Evidence of an ability to work cross-functionally with colleagues in operations, finance, customer service.
- Strong negotiation and relationship building experience at the most senior level into supplier organizations.
- Proven track record of ability to influence in a cross functional organization including conflict resolution.
- Must have a clear understanding of food service distribution, supply chain and has detailed route to market knowledge for key categories.
- Excellent communicator and relationship builder.
- Strong networking skills, ability to influence and get things done through informal as well as formal channels.
- Proven experience in managing a P & L or budget, and deliver plan results.
- Outstanding presentation skills and selling skills to manage implementation of key programs.
- Capacity to handle multiple changing agendas yet to stay in control of events.
- High proficiency level with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Ability to travel 10% to 20% annually.
Great People. Great Service. Great Results.
At Compass Group North America, our superior balance of efficiency and quality attract the highest caliber level of service our clients deserve. We retain the finest workers with a highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits plan. If you're looking for a career where you set the standard for personal advancement, then Compass Group North America is for you! Working together, we will continue to experience success as the industry's best.
Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry Compass Group North America is a diversity growth-oriented organization. Our goal is to improve the quality of work life by using fair and consistent treatment and providing equal growth opportunities for ALL associates. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
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Job ID: SP04021546070