Category Manager - Food Service Specialty in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin at RJ Schinner Co

We’re RJ Schinner, a family-owned business that’s been thriving for over 70 years. Our journey started back in 1951. Today, we’re proud to have 20 distribution centers across the U.S. and a team of 600+ amazing people, all working together to keep distributors in 48 states stocked with the essentials – from paper goods and foodservice packaging to cleaning supplies.

Headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI, we’re proud to be recognized as one of Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75 most successful private companies and recognized by BizTimes’ Future 50 Program as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in southeastern Wisconsin.

But what really matters? The people behind it all. When you join RJ Schinner, you’re not just taking a job — you’re becoming part of a team that values hard work, celebrates success, and believes in growing together.

Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | In-Office

The Category Manager will be responsible for managing existing supplier relationships, onboarding new suppliers, sourcing new items/suppliers as needed, and managing and reviewing pricing with suppliers. They will also be responsible for implementing plans to increase sales and profitability within the category as well as helping to manage inventory turn improvements. This role will have a focus on supplier relationships with food service vendors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage existing supplier relationships which includes negotiation of overall payment terms, rebates, marketing support, Journey support and backhaul opportunities.
• Drive joint business planning conversations with strategic suppliers to develop annual and long range mutually beneficial goals.
• Develop marketing plans throughout the year for assigned suppliers to include negotiation of supplier spend, communication to all necessary parties on campaigns, implementation of all campaigns and post roll out analysis of campaigns and proof of performance to supplier partners.
• Lead vendor evaluation and score card review.
• Onboard new suppliers which will include negotiating terms of RJ supplier agreements, negotiating all program details, verifying internal process of UPC bar codes, pricing policy compliance, and insurance and tax compliance.
• Source new items and suppliers which will include working with field sellers/management to determine gaps in offering, evaluating new products from suppliers or requested by Sales Reps, and researching options available in the marketplace both domestically and globally.
• Manage and review pricing with suppliers which includes increase/decrease announcement evaluation and negotiation, review percentage increases based on market conditions, negotiate with suppliers as needed to maintain competitive market pricing and work with pricing team to implement pricing changes.
• Monitor current market conditions and trends.
• Evaluate internal sales loads and matrix51 pricing as necessary to maintain market relevant pricing dynamics.
• Form effective cross-functional relationships with a broad cross-section of RJ Schinner teams and be responsible for working effectively with all product planning functions within the assigned category.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders for projects to ensure alignment for market trends as well as priorities.
• Participate in customer meetings/buying group conferences as requested by sales leadership or sales team members to gain strategic market intel.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Elevated level of knowledge within Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency and knowledge of ERP system, preferably Solar Eclipse
• Effectively communicate and interact cross-functionally at all levels of the company
• Ability to lead projects with minimal guidance at times
• Organize and prioritize responsibilities and multiple projects to meet deadlines

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on marketing, supply chain or purchasing is preferred. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working for a distribution/re-distribution company with job responsibilities of category management of food service products.

Working Environment

The majority of the workday is spent in an office environment. Noise level is moderate. This may vary depending upon specific department projects. Domestic travel of up to 25% may be required for this role.

Physical Demands

The employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear; occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds while moving files, samples, or small packages. Specific vision abilities are required for this job which may include close vision, sound, ability to adjust focus, manual dexterity for computer keyboard and equipment usage.

Location: Onsite only | N89W14700 Patrita Drive | Menomonee Falls WI | 53051| www.rjschinner.com

R.J. Schinner Co., Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We hire and promote for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or veteran status. All terms and conditions of employment are administered on the basis of equality.