JOB FILLED - Category Manager - Berries - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

JOB FILLED - Category Manager - Berries

Job Description: 

Grow Our Tomorrow. Oppy is a leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world. As one of North America’s top produce companies for nearly 165 years, we bring over 100 varieties of produce from 27 countries to 1,300+ retailers in North America and throughout the world. As much as agriculture has shaped the past for humankind, Oppy’s efforts shape its future by sustainably providing families with healthy, safe and fresh produce to create a better quality of life for all. Our progressive team is called to a higher purpose that raises the economic wellbeing of families and communities who work the land.

Recognized as one Canada’s Best Managed Companies (for the last 20 years!) and a Top 100 Employer, our diverse team of dedicated professionals collaborate and make connections across our locations throughout North and South America. We owe our success to our adaptability, innovative and entrepreneurial approach, our commitment to our people, and the incredible relationships we build. We are looking for talented people who love a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and career in a sector with abundant opportunity. Grow your tomorrow with us, today.

The Opportunity:

Do you have experience in produce category management and are a highly collaborative and organized team player who excels at building productive cross-functional relationships? Do you have an ability to think of your feet, problem-solve and have been recognized for being highly responsive, resilient and proactive? If so, The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy to our friends), has an exciting opportunity for a Category Manager for our dynamic and growing Berry Category. If you are self-motivated, an excellent communicator and a highly dependable team player, then come join a dedicated team of professionals with a role that offers a variety of responsibilities in a dynamic and rewarding industry.

What You Will Be Doing:

You will play an essential role in supporting the strategic priorities of the assigned category while driving collaboration between external and internal contacts. You will provide both leadership and tactical support for the day-to-day management of the category by developing and executing grower initiatives, analyzing sales and forecast data and liaising with external internal contacts to execute on tactical category plans. You will work with sales team members to maximize sales opportunities and meet company profit objectives. You will strive to maximize revenue and ensure our growers receive the highest possible returns given market conditions and other factors. Just as importantly, you will contribute your positive, resilient and solutions-focused approach to build and maintain positive, collaborative, and effective working relationships both internally and externally.

You will:

  • Provide information, analysis and recommendations to facilitate effective category management and decision-making to increase profitability to growers while meeting the needs of our retail customer.
  • Take the lead on planning programs for the category in collaboration with key stakeholders; makes recommendations for the optimal mix of growers, packs and volumes given demand factors and other economic variables.
  • Collaborate with internal and external contacts to develop sales and marketing plans for the assigned category. Ensures consistency with company business strategies, objectives and plans.
  • Work with category leadership and other stakeholders to establish and monitor achievement of sales objectives in accordance with sales and marketing plans and performance indicators. Identify gaps and obtain product to meet customer needs.
  • Collaborate with sales staff to proactively sell the product prior to the season via pre-programmed sales and works to maximize in season sales.
  • Provide high-level expertise to key retailers (top 10) in the category to assist with account and demand development.
  • Collaborate with, and is a solutions provider to, internal and external contacts to develop and implement appropriate operations and logistics procedures for the commodity that includes all touch points such as QC, facilities, manufacturing, pre-ripening and transportation.
  • Liaise and build positive relationships with growers to forecast the sizes, varieties and amounts of product available to the market.
  • Maintain regular grower communication, ensuring optimal information exchange and establishing strong, collaborative grower relationships.
  • In collaboration with internal parties, drive operational excellence activities within the category to continuously improve workflow effectiveness and efficiencies and improve cross-functional communication to promote sustainable company growth.
  • Make recommendations regarding commission adjustments and commission structure to optimize grower returns.
  • May be involved in MOA negotiations with growers in conjunction with category leadership and other stakeholders.
  • Develop and deliver presentations as required internal stakeholders, customer and grower.

Who You Are:

  • Possess expert knowledge of fresh produce categories; depth of knowledge in produce retail, wholesale, and food service markets
  • Proven ability to analyze sales and marketing information, develop solutions and monitor outcomes.
  • Skilled at conducting presentations at an executive level; strong ability to communicate and tailor messages to a diverse audience.
  • Ability to work independently, make appropriate decisions and effectively communicate information, both orally and written, to appropriate parties
  • An impeccable communicator and team player with the ability to work collaboratively with various departments, foster teamwork and build effective working relationships both inside and outside an organization.
  • A resilient and adaptable contributor that possesses excellent critical thinking skills and relentless grit.
  • Tech-savvy with an intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint; coupled with the ability to learn and thrive in a company ERP platform.
  • Possess an eagle-eye for detail and ability to analyze large amounts of information, which you use to develop effective solutions and monitor outcomes.
  • Ability to maintain a resilient and calm demeanor, organizing your time effectively and successfully function under a fast-paced, dynamic environment while handling multiple tasks and projects.

Ideal Qualifications:

  • Degree, diploma in business or related field or a combination of equivalent education and experience; agribusiness experience is an asset.
  • Minimum, 5+ years of successful and proven experience in category management and/or sales in the produce industry. Direct blueberry experience would be a strong asset.

Why Work for Oppy?

  • We are an established leader in the fresh produce industry, continuously working to improve, innovate and disrupt the norm. Oppy is a place where you are encouraged to contribute and can have a meaningful impact.
  • We have a strong culture with terrific people that care about the business and each other. We want our people to grow and succeed.
  • We offer a hybrid work model with a mix of in-office and at-home work arrangements.
  • We extend our sincere appreciation for your interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Compensation/Salary: 
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