Job Description

IMA Foodservice

About IMA

IMA is an exclusive network of the highest producing foodservice distributors, delivering better business through its exclusive alliance. For over 20 years, members have benefited from expert category and supplier management, EXCLUSIVE BRANDS marketing, business planning, quality assurance, and more. A Powerful Network of Foodservice Distributors, Exclusively for Market Share Leaders.

The alliance makes up the largest network of foodservice distributors in the U.S. Built strictly to power better business, IMA offers members unparalleled service, impactful business planning, and support in the most critical areas across the distribution supply chain. Working for its distributor members, IMA is a perpetual negotiator and expert navigator—and the key to greater market influence and control

About the Role

Department: Category Management

Reports To: Director of Category Management

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Location: Houston, TX

THIS ROLE IS NOT FULLY REMOTE

Hybrid : work in office Mo/Tu/Th, remote option W/F (driven by the business calendar)

The Category Manager is responsible for assisting in the creation of and implementing business plans for a specific range of Food Service categories and products. The Category Manager collaborates with Food Service Suppliers, IMA Members, and the IMA team to assist in RFP negotiations, conduct category analytics, foster relationships, and bring value added solutions for his or her areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Implement business plans using market trend analysis, to source the right quality products at the lowest possible cost to maximize profitability
• Negotiate RFPs for certain products under the guidance of the Category Director
• Monitor post RFP progress and recommend solutions for underperforming areas
• E BRAND assortment recommendations based on market intelligence, member requests and other analysis
• Determine category and item gaps and recommend solutions with expected impact
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to expand available options for product supply
• Research product innovation for additional line items as well as packaging innovation, packaging project setup, review, and approval
• Develop and manage one direct report – Category Analyst
• Share category and industry knowledge with Analysts
• Develop and share best practices for BI tools (Attribytes, NPD, Datassential)
• Organize member category team calls (setup, agenda, moderating)
• Provide category insights to the IMA Members
• Manage internal relationships to achieve optimum results as a team
• Meet financial targets for categories including sales service fees, marketing program, expenses and other related matrix
• Some travel required
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of category management and/or relevant business management experience
• Bachelor’s degree required

Required Skills

• Proven experience as a category manager or similar, with excellent negotiation techniques
• Expertise in analyzing multiple data sources to devise recommendations for the development of business plans
• People management & development skills
• Manage the execution of varied activities across different teams
• Solution oriented, collaborator, consensus builder
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Integrity is part of their DNA

About our People

At IMA, positive results for our business and our members are a direct result of our clearly defined unique culture. We are a diverse set of individuals from all walks of life, and though we are unified professionally, we embrace our differences and take pride in the characteristics that set us apart and make us who we are.

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