Category Manager, Foodservice

Come Grow Your Career With Us! 

Capitol City Produce is a family owned and operated wholesale produce distributor rooted in core values that create an incredible work environment and team culture. We are located at 1-12 and O'Neal Lane in Baton Rouge. We service our customers with fresh fruits and vegetables, local produce, specialty produce, and fresh dairy products. We are proud to say that for over 70 years we have remained true to our company’s core values of Customer Service, Quality Products, Respect for the Team, and Integrity. We’re on the move and kicking off a new warehouse and office expansion to be completed in the fall of 2024.

Capitol City Produce is looking for a Category Manager, Foodservice on our Procurement team.

Lead a foodservice team responsible for identifying and implementing opportunities for category growth, product innovation and differentiation while maintaining a clear advantage in the customers’ mind, particularly with respect to our attention to details, sense of urgency and ability to quickly adapt. This is a heavily procurement and customer-facing position that requires excellent analytical and relationship skills. The position also works closely with our sales and marketing team to identify, source, market and promote new items and new categories.

Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial nature and excitement about creating opportunities
• High energy and results-oriented; meets commitments to teammates
• Exceptional follow through and a great communicator
• Highly attentive to details; excellent analytical skills
• Proven negotiator with situational resolution skills
• Extraordinarily productive relationships with vendors and freight carriers
• Collaborative, supportive and engaged
• Sense of urgency, agile, quick thinker and adapter

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Search for product innovation proactively and conduct product research tours locally and domestically, building strong relationships with supply partners
• Evaluate the entire supply chain, including product pricing, freight, product quality, supplier reliability and supplier innovation
• Obtain unique advantages including pricing, exclusivity rights, promotion support and special buy opportunities
• Achieve a 99.7% fill rate target, monitor vendor shortages, ensure on-time deliveries and keep the sales team informed
• Ensure accurate and timely product setup and slotting
• Minimize shrinkage/spoilage, file trouble reports and manage problem resolution
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive item marketing plan
• Identify sales penetration opportunities
• Arrange training, samples and sales work withs for new products
• Maximize sales utilizing all tools including the mobile app, online ordering, splash screens, social media and marketing resources
• Work with the sales team to identify leads after each rollout and help close those deals
• Ensure the collection of vendor rebates and promotional funds

Requirements:

• 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible procurement experience in a food-related industry, including product management responsibility
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent skills with common business software
• Bachelor’s degree preferred with an emphasis in a related field or equivalent 5+ years of experience as a category manager in the food distribution industry
• Ability to travel up to 30%

We Offer:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Company paid life and AD&D insurance
• Supplemental insurance including life, accident, cancer, critical illness and short-term disability

Capitol City Produce is a family owned and operated wholesale produce distributor rooted in core values that create an incredible work environment and team culture. We’re on the move and kicking off a new warehouse and office expansion to be completed in the fall of 2024. Come and be a part of our growth!