Category Operations Manager - Area
US Foods, Inc. is looking for Category Operations Manager - Area in Austin, TX.
This local job opportunity with ID 3745204772 is live since 2026-07-07 19:52:29.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support and execute category strategies across multiple Distribution Centers within the assigned Area, ensuring alignment with national objectives and local market needs.
- Develop and implement customized category execution plans that drive assortment optimization, sales growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
- Analyze product assortments, SKU performance, and category penetration to identify opportunities for growth, eliminate duplication, and improve overall assortment effectiveness.
- Monitor category performance metrics and recommend data-driven actions to improve sales, margin, and operational efficiency.
- Partner with Sales, Culinary, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams to gather local market intelligence and identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitive opportunities.
- Manage assortment updates, exception SKU requests, dead and slow-moving inventory evaluations, and product conversion initiatives.
- Foster strong relationships with vendor partners, brokers, and suppliers to support category strategies and maximize growth opportunities.
- Facilitate product launches, training programs, and new product introductions to ensure successful execution and adoption across the organization.
- Support customer business reviews, major account bids, product onboarding, and category-specific business opportunities.
- Collaborate with Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) teams to address product-related inquiries and ensure compliance with company standards.
- Serve as a trusted category expert and advisor to Area and Distribution Center leadership teams by providing strategic recommendations and actionable insights.
- Drive organizational change and influence stakeholders to achieve category objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Food Service Management, or a related field required.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered.
- Minimum of 7 years of Category Management experience required.
- Experience within foodservice distribution, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, or a related industry strongly preferred.
- Project management experience and leading cross-functional initiatives preferred.
- Strong understanding of category management principles, assortment optimization, merchandising strategies, and market analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
- Proven success influencing stakeholders and driving results within a matrixed organization.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer needs, operational requirements, and financial objectives.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to lead change initiatives and gain buy-in across multiple levels of the organization.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite; PowerPoint required.
- Experience with business intelligence, sales analytics, and category reporting tools preferred.
- Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of operating independently in a fast-paced environment.