Category Manager - Fresh Foods Location: Atlanta, GA Work Arrangement: Hybrid — onsite weekly with 1–2 work-from-home days; up to 25% travel Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire Relocation: Available for the right candidate
Position Overview Client is seeking a Category Manager to lead the strategy, development, and performance of its fresh-foods category. This individual will own the category’s product assortment, pricing, margins, supplier relationships, and overall financial performance.
The ideal candidate will bring direct fresh-food category management experience, including hands-on product development, category-level P&L ownership, vendor negotiations, and knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the strategy, development, and execution of fresh-food products, programs, and category initiatives.
Manage, mentor, and develop members of the fresh-foods category team.
Lead hands-on product development, including formulation, testing, packaging, quality evaluation, and commercialization.
Own the category P&L, including pricing, margins, cost of goods, expenditures, promotional planning, and financial targets.
Build and manage product assortments based on consumer trends, operational capabilities, and financial goals.
Analyze sales, sourcing, pricing, industry, and competitive data to identify trends and improve category performance.
Develop action plans to address performance gaps and continue positive category results.
Lead supplier negotiations, contract development, rebate management, and vendor performance.
Resolve pricing discrepancies, product-quality concerns, and supplier-related issues.
Partner with Food Safety and Quality Assurance to ensure products meet food safety, regulatory, quality, and operational standards.
Support product recalls, compliance initiatives, and the resolution of quality concerns.
Collaborate with Operations, Marketing, Accounting, Business Analysis, Category Management, and outside suppliers.
Stay current on legislation, regulatory changes, and food safety requirements affecting fresh and perishable products.
Develop cost-reduction strategies and savings plans in partnership with leadership.
Represent the category in cross-functional meetings and lead special projects as needed.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Direct experience in both category management and fresh foods.
Experience developing and commercializing fresh-food products.
Demonstrated ownership of a category-level P&L, including pricing, margins, and cost-of-goods management.
Experience developing product assortments and category strategies.
Experience negotiating vendor contracts and managing supplier relationships within fresh or perishable goods.
Working knowledge of food safety, FSQA standards, regulatory requirements, and recall processes.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial, sales, pricing, and operational data.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
Ability to travel up to 25%.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
Five to seven years of relevant experience.
Previous experience managing, mentoring, or developing others.
Intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills.
Advanced degree.
Applicant Notices & Disclaimers
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At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws.This position's pay range is $100000.00/Yearly - $120000.00/Yearly.
