SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER - FOOD SERVICE Job at Headhunter Insider, San Antonio, TX

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  • Headhunter Insider
  • San Antonio, TX

Job Description

Senior Category Manager – Food Service

Position Overview

The Senior Category Manager will own the strategy, execution, and growth of the category across both Away From Home (Food Service/Conv) and At Home channels (Retail). This role is responsible for the full product lifecycle, including market research, innovation, commercialization, SKU optimization, and managing unique ingredient/packaging write-offs. In addition, the Senior Category Manager will support pricing and promotions, drive strategic initiatives with Sales and Marketing, and develop direct reports into a high-performing, results-driven team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Category Strategy & Insights

    • Analyze market trends, customer needs, and the competitive landscape to identify opportunities and close gaps.

    • Translate insights into compelling category and brand growth stories.

    • Define and execute category strategy, positioning, value proposition, and roadmap aligned with company goals.

  • Product Lifecycle Management

    • Lead portfolio optimization, including SKU rationalization and assortment planning.

    • Support product commercialization for both branded and private label launches.

    • Ensure GS1 compliance across all products.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

    • Partner with Sales to support key customer initiatives and presentations.

    • Work with R&D, Operations, and Demand Planning to deliver high-quality products and accurate forecasts.

    • Collaborate with Marketing and external agencies to create, activate, and track brand-building tools and initiatives.

  • Performance & Financial Management

    • Monitor category and product performance through data and metrics to identify improvements.

    • Support pricing discussions and promotional planning, including digital assets and placements.

    • Provide strategic direction for brand growth using marketplace insights.

  • Leadership & Team Development

    • Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports to ensure best-in-class execution.

    • Guide team members in category strategy, portfolio management, and customer support.

    • Create a collaborative, high-performance work environment.

  • Other Duties

    • Perform additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred).

  • 5+ years of experience in category management, brand marketing, or product marketing.

  • Proven commercialization expertise — go-to-market strategy, launch execution, and post-launch tracking.

  • At least 3 years of managerial experience with direct reports.

  • Strong analytical background, with proven ability to translate insights into strategies.

  • Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional projects.

Skills & Abilities

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote).

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

  • Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

  • Creative, customer-focused mindset with passion for innovation.

  • Highly organized, adaptable, and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

  • Strong leadership and team development capabilities.

  • Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders from entry-level to executive.

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Manage one or more direct reports.

  • Responsible for hiring, performance evaluation, staffing assignments, and professional development.

  • Ensure functional responsibilities are clearly defined and executed to deliver best-in-class results.

Job Tags

Remote job, Work at office,

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