Director of Category Management (Food Service & Retail) at GSFoods – Carlsbad, California

TITLE: Director of Category Management DIVISION: Procurement

REPORTS TO: SVP Merchandising FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt/Salary

Position Summary:

Good Source is seeking a driven, talented, experienced and solutions driven business professional to join our Team as Director of Poultry/Protein Sales, Foodservice & Retail, and play a critical role within the Sales & Merchandising Organization. This dynamic leader will be responsible for the growth and profitability of the Poultry & Protein Categories (Category Management) while supporting and driving the resources associated with the management of the Organization's business development operations and current customers. Activities include planning, developing, budgeting, consistently meeting the sales and profitability plan, and collaborating to grow the Poultry & Protein sales for the Organization. The individual will have a strategy to supply Poultry & Protein products customers and their distributors within various industry channels.

This role will collaborate directly with the SVP of Merchandising & Sales Leadership to create strategic, integrated customer business plans that will improve our ability to capitalize on opportunities for growth within all our defined customer segments; along with mitigating any existing risk to the business. The successful candidate must be able to network within the industry with customers, suppliers, and colleagues, and build and maintain strong relationships at all levels within the industry and be able to provide creative solutions to become a valuable business partner.

Leadership Framework:

Performance expectations include exhibiting the following framework components; Core competencies appropriate for a sales role at this level, the ability to shape the future of our Poultry & Meat categories, and the ability to consistently deliver business results.

Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the SVP of Merchandising and Sales Leadership to ensure full alignment on the goals and strategies for the Poultry & Meat categories
• Serves as an ambassador for the Organization, both internally and externally, capable of inspiring support from a variety of stakeholders
• Attends industry functions, such as association events and conferences, and provides feedback and information on market and creative trends
• Participates in seminars, workshops and reading publications to stay current with trends.

Education and / or Experience:

Minimum: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience level, AND >10 years of sales experience and category management in Poultry & Meat industry with Foodservice, Retail, required. Experience with Poultry & Meat sales to QSR or contract manufacturing will also be considered.

Proven experience in building and maintaining business relationships with key Foodservice & Retail accounts

Professional Skills:

• Ability to comprehend and administer contracts
• Ability to build consensus among cross-functional teams
• Experience working with C-Level Executives including written, presentation and verbal communications
• Proven ability to influence senior internal and external executives and stakeholders
• Solid analytical problem-solving skills, including familiarity with analyzing reports & deriving insights from data
• Ability to express information in terms of profit and loss, food cost and expense ratio
• Strong financial acumen and ability to properly plan and execute business plans
• Embraces change and is a champion of the Organization
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor colleagues
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with and influence a variety of key stakeholders
• Strong communication skills that provide for effective communications internally and externally
• Ability to learn the use of proprietary CRM tools for planning and forecasting sales growth
• Ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality results with accuracy and thoroughness
• Proficient in Microsoft Applications Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficient in social media communications and marketing
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple initiatives at the same time
• Business acumen to manage sophisticated contract customers
• Demonstrated experience with building trust with a prospective customer and securing new business
• Proven negotiating skills with consultative selling and networking
• Proactive, self-directed, with the ability to structure a weekly schedule to be successful
• Understanding of sales and marketing principles, processes and procedures, product lines, supply chain, industry trends and industry channels within the foodservice industry segments
• Ability to organize and execute participation in conferences and trade show exhibits
• Food knowledge and ability to provide alternative menu options and solutions
• Responsible for negotiation, administration and management of sales contracts and promotions for specified customer base to deliver products and services according to plan, within budget and meeting all sales projections.
• Ability to make presentations to small and large audiences

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Professional office environment. Primary office environment is ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment.

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

Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist, or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques are required May include lifting up to 25 pounds on occasion.

Travel required (25%+)

If Interested in Applying:

This opportunity is available through Good Source Solutions and our corporate entity, GS Foods Group. We offer our associates the opportunity to grow, to contribute, and to serve others while helping our customers be successful. We are seeking talented and hard-working people to join us.

Benefits Information:

We understand the unique needs of our employees and their families by offering comprehensive health coverage plans (medical, dental, and vision). Our competitive benefits package includes a flexible spending account, 401(K) retirement programs with company match, paid time off, life insurance and disability plans, employee assistance plan and more.