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.