Foodservice & Dispensed Bev. Cat Manager at Hassan & Sons Inc – Woodland, California

Position Summary

The Foodservice & Dispensed Beverage Category Manager will oversee the strategy, development, and performance of all foodservice and beverage programs across our convenience store network. This includes prepared foods, full-service delis, grab-and-go, coffee, fountain, frozen beverages, and other in-store programs. The role is responsible for vendor management, product selection, pricing, promotions, operational execution, and ensuring best-in-class customer experiences that drive traffic, sales, and profitability.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Category Strategy & Performance

• Develop and execute category strategies to grow sales and margins across foodservice and beverage programs.
• Analyze category performance, identify trends, and adjust product mix and pricing strategies.
• Drive innovation by introducing new items, seasonal offerings, and limited-time promotions.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and rebates with suppliers and distributors.
• Build strong partnerships with key vendors to ensure reliable supply and promotional support.
• Evaluate supplier performance and ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards.

Operational Execution

• Collaborate with operations to ensure consistent execution of deli, foodservice, and beverage programs across all stores.
• Create planograms, recipes, and preparation standards to maintain product quality and consistency.
• Support training programs for store managers and staff to deliver great customer service and product presentation.

Promotions & Marketing

• Partner with the marketing team to design and execute promotional campaigns that increase trial and repeat purchases.
• Develop pricing and bundling strategies (e.g., coffee + breakfast sandwich combos).
• Monitor competitor activity and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Create in-store signage, menus, and call-outs that align with our brand identity, ensuring a consistent and engaging customer experience across all locations.

Financial & Analytical Management

• Own category P&L, ensuring revenue and margin targets are achieved.
• Track KPIs including sales growth, gross margin %, transaction counts, and shrink/waste reduction.
• Regularly report on category performance and provide actionable insights.

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Foodservice Management, or related field (preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in category management, foodservice operations, or merchandising (convenience retail or QSR experience highly desirable).
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and financial analysis skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and operational compliance.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in the C-store (Convenience Store), retail fuel or petroleum industry is required.

Work Environment:

• Office setting; occasional exposure to warehouse or transportation yard.
• Standard business hours, with flexibility for occasional overtime during reporting deadlines.

Skill Set

• Strong understanding of transportation compliance (IFTA, HVUT, PUC, DOT).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) and transportation software (DTN, Telapoint, etc.).
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successful perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands, fingers, handle or feel objects, tools and controls.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and in an office setting.