SR. CATEGORY BUSINESS MANAGER, CENTER OF PLATE (REMOTE)

The Sr. Category Business Manager position is an exciting opportunity to accelerate your career within Foodbuy's category team. The primary duty of this position is the day-to-day execution alongside of the channel category business management team and the category development team aligning customer needs with commercial opportunities in order to maximize the value of negotiated programs. Duties include project management with multiple customers and manufacturers, hands-on analysis and building relationships with internal and external partners to make a direct impact by driving new value to Foodbuy, our customers, and supplier partners.

Collaborating closely with cross-functional resources including Account Managers, Category Managers, Culinary, Sourcing, Distribution, Marketing, and Finance, you will conduct holistic commercial reviews of the supply chain and purchasing behaviors of Foodbuy Customers. Using data analysis and your procurement expertise, you will align customer needs with program opportunities, and present an in-depth plan for maximizing the commercial value of Foodbuy's partnership.

Success in this role will evolve from strong project management, hands-on commercial analysis, thoughtful relationship building with internal and external partners, and the ability to present your ideas to inspire action.

What You'll Do:
* Working with channel category business managers, gain customer commitment to convert product purchases to negotiated supplier programs to achieve cost savings and margin improvements
* Manage supplier base to provide best value and support for our customers, holding both ourselves and our supplier base accountable for most competitive programs possible and a great service experience
* Identify cost reduction opportunities for customers while increasing preferred supplier sales and company revenue
* Based on in-depth analysis and an understanding of goals, develop a category strategy that delivers strong financial results.
* Establish price benchmarks and negotiate with suppliers to ensure our programs are competitive for customers in all business segments
* Provide support with customer culinary team and supplier partners to identify product recommendations based on quality, value, yield, application, etc.
* Work cross-functionally to manage the implementation of new contracts or program changes
* Act as lead resource for customer requests related to assigned categories
* Work with Human Resources staff to recruit, interview, select, hire, and employ an appropriate number of employees
* Provide oversight and direction to the employees in the department in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures
* Coach, mentor and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and opportunities
* Identification of category improvement opportunities and recommendations.
* Negotiate with suppliers to drive savings opportunities for Customers.
* Perform other duties as assigned

* 5+ years of category management, or customer account management experience
* Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
* Experience of broader aspects of supply chain, as well as providing evidence of a broader business perspective such as balancing cost, value, risk & opportunity
* Ability to extract insights from complex data sets using advanced excel skills
* High attention to detail and exceptional work quality
* Strong networking skills, ability to influence and get things done through informal as well as formal channels
* Evidence of an ability to work cross-functionally and influence at senior levels
* Strong influencing and presentation skills
* A great attitude - flexibility, optimism, resourcefulness and transparency.
* Capacity to handle multiple changing agendas and identify creative solutions to overcome barriers.
* Strong negotiation experience
* High proficiency level with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint required
* Ability to travel 10% to 20% annually.