Essential Functions:

• Develop Long Range Strategies for the assigned category to achieve volume and profit targets in support of organizational goals and objectives.
• Develop and facilitate an annual category plan for the assigned category.
• Manage and negotiate customer support such as marketing dollars, slotting allowances and costs. 
• Analyze sales reports, market trends, and forecasts, to identify customer segment and category targets.
• Accountable for assigned categories sales and profitability by managing pricing, margin, product mix, packaging, seasonal product opportunities, item shrink, and product concerns and complaints.
• Depending on assigned category, may be required to purchase off product terminal, ie produce market
• Provide direction of overall Gordon Food Service Store product lifecycle management from introduction to discontinuance. 
• Develop and execute the category review strategy for assigned category.
• Create, monitor, and adjust effective pricing strategies that align with the Store pricing strategy and organizational sales and profit goals and objectives.
• Develop methodology and process to strategically market products to support the category/marketing Annual Operating Plan.
• Communicate relevant information about the assigned categories to marketing, merchandising, supply chain, sales and other relevant areas.
• Responsible for collaborating with suppliers and internal teams to drive and enhance product innovation and development that support consumer trends and result in category growth. 
• Develop and evolve a core group of image items that differentiate Store from the competition in alignment with consumer trends that result in category growth.
• Collaborate with and leverage the North American Product Marketing Team to develop and manage products that support the Stores vision and category goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with and leverage product vendors to address specific Store needs.
• Participate and contribute in the assigned North American Product Marketing Team meetings. 
• Collaborate with divisional category leaders to understand  and support regional store needs using DSD vendors as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of current consumer trends and insights as well as product development and innovation in the assigned category such as seasonal variation and item variety. 
• Service the store and field teams by providing timely and relevant information and addressing their needs.
• Interviews, hires, orients, trains and retains staff.
• Conducts performance monitoring of staff, initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with the Senior Manager, Product and Human Resources when appropriate.
• Mentors, motivates and develops staff and serves as a role model and resource.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Four years previous product, brand, or category management experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.  Previous terminal purchasing a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must be able to analyze, interpret data, draw conclusions and be able to apply those conclusions to tactics and strategies that lead to business improvement.  
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills including some public speaking.  
• Excellent business management skills to oversee the performance of the assigned product categories.  
• This position requires strong leadership, and relationship building skills.  
• Must have good time management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Must be results-oriented and have excellent team skills.
• Ability to develop solutions to complex problems that require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation. May refer to established precedents and policies.  Ensures solutions are consistent with organizational objectives.  
• Knowledge of industry trends.