Category Manager – Nonfoods and Smallwares in Rochester, New York at Palmer Food Service

Why Palmer Food Services?

We offer competitive wages and a generous benefit package that contributes a significant amount to your total compensation and your personal well-being. Additionally, there are opportunities to distinguish yourself and move up in our established company through excellent performance and by contributing to our company mission, vision, and values. We value each member of our diverse and talented team - because at Palmer Food Services, our associates are our unfair advantage.

What We Value:

Honesty & IntegrityService & ExcellenceCollaboration & TeamworkFamily & CommunityDependability & LoyaltyCompassion

Roles and Responsibilities:

Live and exemplify the company's values by nurturing an environment that inspires and motivates associates to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of the team, our customers, and our company.Lead by example and champion our Values in Action.Own category management and purchasing responsibilities for all Nonfoods and Smallwares products, ensuring alignment with company sales, margin, inventory, and growth objectives.Develop and execute category strategies that support profitability, customer satisfaction, and sustainable business growth.Demonstrate disciplined, data-informed buying practices that support margin enhancement, inventory turns, product availability, and price stability.Apply sound purchasing principles to ensure competitive costs, appropriate inventory levels, and continuity of supply.Manage product assortments, including product selection, rationalization, new item introductions, product conversions, and lifecycle management.Analyze category performance through sales, margin, inventory, market, supplier, and customer data to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and address performance gaps.Monitor market conditions, pricing fluctuations, industry trends, and competitive activity; adjust buying and pricing strategies as needed to maintain a competitive market position.Maintain a "right product at the right price" mindset by ensuring product offerings deliver value to customers while supporting company profitability goals.Establish, develop, and maintain strong supplier relationships, including supplier performance management, contract negotiations, business reviews, and strategic partnership development.Stay current on supplier capabilities, product availability, pricing trends, market intelligence, and sourcing opportunities.Collaborate closely with Sales, Sales Leadership, Purchasing, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of category initiatives and business objectives.Communicate clearly, proactively, and effectively with Sales, Sales Leadership, Purchasing, and Operations regarding market conditions, product availability, pricing changes, inventory concerns, and category opportunities.Ensure product assortments align with customer demand, sales strategies, market trends, and overall company objectives.Monitor inventory levels and take appropriate actions to maintain product availability, optimize inventory investment, and minimize excess or obsolete inventory.Support sales growth through active category leadership, providing product expertise, market insights, and customer-focused solutions.Conduct ride-alongs, customer visits, sales calls, and vendor meetings to support customer retention, opportunity development, menu development, product conversions, and new item launches.Partner with Sales and Sales Leadership to identify growth opportunities, improve product mix and margin performance, and address customer challenges through strategic Nonfoods and Smallwares solutions.Lead and support promotional programs, product launches, and merchandising initiatives that drive category performance and customer engagement.Prepare and present reports, analyses, and recommendations regarding category performance, market conditions, supplier performance, and strategic opportunities.Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or state issued equivalency certificate.Minimum of 2 years’ experience in sales and/or food service industry, required.A valid and clean driver’s license.Proven ability to manage multiple, time-sensitive projects and competing priorities simultaneously, work independently, and drive projects to completion with minimum guidance and high attention to detail.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, enabling professional interactions with both external customers and internal team members.Proficiency in effective phone and email etiquette is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates or bachelor's in culinary arts, business, marketing, or related field.
• OR 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Salary:

$65,000- $83,000/ Yearly

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by a Category Manager to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time. Maybe exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods of time.