Category Manager jobs in Boca Raton, FL

Overview

Topco Associates is currently seeking a Category Manager for the Produce team in West Palm Beach, FL. This position will be a hybrid role, with the successful candidate conducting work in our West Palm Beach office three times per week and virtual twice per week.

Topco's mission is to provide solutions for our member owners, regional retailers and wholesalers, and help them achieve a competitive advantage in the markets they serve. We aspire to develop high-performing teams to resemble the diversity of our members' shopper communities to drive greater innovation and creativity that ultimately enhances our business results and the value Topco provides to its membership.

The Category Manager is responsible for developing category programs that fit the needs of our member organizations (regional grocery retailers and wholesalers), managing their commodities profitably, procuring products at a cost to achieve maximum member participation and to enhance the competitive position and profitability of Topco Member companies. The Category Manager is responsible and accountable for the achievement of category sales, profit, market share, inventory control and cost objectives within their categories.

Responsibilities

• Develops commodity solutions for our members to grow sales in their commodities by keeping the members informed of program promotions, cost advantages, product availability, market trends, vendor and item changes, and related information to develop member support and achieve commodity specific sales, profitability and productivity pipeline maximum participation goals
• Selects products and negotiates price and delivery terms, plans and schedules product purchases, to ensure optimal quality specifications, negotiates promotions to take advantage of market conditions and provide optimal opportunities for members and optimal cost efficiencies to member
• Employs knowledge of industry and market conditions to assist in the preparation of forecasts and implements buying beneficial to Topco members to ensure maximum member savings and efficiencies.
• Recommend program changes, new procurement or market strategies, and product introductions
• Regularly reviews market conditions to evaluate their effect on products and programs. Recommends the need for program changes, new procurement or market strategies, product introductions and discontinuation
• Investigates alternative distribution and cost options to achieve member savings
• Initiates and oversees online bids for pricing component of category reviews
• Develops a supplier base by evaluating current suppliers on a regular basis, and evaluating and recommending new suppliers to include domestic and international sources of supply
• Promotes Topco's Mission to deliver total consumer and member satisfaction in product quality by participating in the establishment of quality standards and working with Quality Assurance and other quality assurance groups (e.g., selectors, field inspectors) to ensure that specifications and standards are met on a continuing basis
• Manage member program to recommend program changes, new procurement or market strategies, and product introductions
• Develop and implement innovative, impactful produce marketing/promotional agendas
• Develop commodity contracts to achieve Topco's Mission
• Overseas the creation of pre-books and procures product from vendors
• Manages holiday recaps for Members to plan future procurement needs

Supervisory

• Motivates and trains support staff to achieve communicated goals

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration or other related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Technical skills:

• Fast paced, multi task environment with constant sense of urgency.
• Able to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms with people at all levels, including member personnel.
• Proven ability to manage others, inspire confidence and interact with others at all levels.
• Able to interpret industry data and make business decisions based on the material, and to make perform basic math calculations on a regular basis.
• Ability to negotiate successfully in marketing buying situations. Familiarity with major produce sources, industry practices, quality levels, packaging and logistics. Ability to speak publicly and make presentations to groups of various sizes.  Able and willing to travel as required.
• Public speaking/presentation skills desirable

Previous Experience:

• Five years (minimum) produce procurement, buying or selling experience.  Experience with Potatoes, Onions, or Corn is a plus.
• One-Two years (minimum) supervisory experience.
• Thorough knowledge of fresh produce buying and marketing experience with a broker, supplier, or buying organization, or previous experience in wholesale/retail produce areas
• Experience working with growers and/ or produce vendors in a variety of produce items.

Other qualifications:

• Execution Excellence
• Business Acumen
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration
• Innovation and Change
• Personnel Effectiveness
• Talent Management
• Motivational Leadership
• Communicates Effectively and Candidly

Topco strives for a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects our member shopper’s communities. If your experience similarly reflects what you see listed in the job description, please consider applying, as individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence; therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Topco is an equal employment opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, veteran's status, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.