Associate Category Ops Manager

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Act as the central escalation point of contact for all internal merchandising inquiries related to product, specifications, availability, and substitutions from PSSA
• Become subject matter expert in US Foods systems and tools to quickly and accurately answer inquiries
• Vacancy support and backup to COM and PSSA roles
• Support Category Operations Managers with all analytics requests, local flyer item selection and rebate solicitation, Roll Out Book reviews and assortment projects – including E&O follow up, CASIS billings and vendor meeting preparation
• Serve as gatekeeper of NIR process and tracking log – includes approval process, 30/60/90-day tracking follow-up, etc.
• Support PSSA/COM with escalation requests for proprietary SKU tying
• Enter DCT’s for COM’s on new items & local flyers.
• Analyze weekly ATC communicates and disseminate direction to appropriate parties.
• Develop broker and vendor contacts along with using internal resource pool to independently address and follow up on PSSA escalated inquiries.
• Serve as escalation point of contact for RSC inquires
• Support PSSAs/COMs with sourcing/market baskets/special pricing requests.
• Gatekeeper of all COM related inquires; researching APN lookups, attaching vendors, items and pricing to later approve and send to buyer.
• Other duties assigned by manager.

SUPERVISION: 
N/A

RELATIONSHIPS
•    Internal: Category Operations Managers, Marketing Managers, Replenishment (Local & RSC), Pricing team, Territory Managers, Account Executives
•    External: Local vendors and brokers, as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Must possess a minimum 5 years of purchasing, merchandising, sales or customer service experience is required, preferably in a foodservice distribution environment.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office especially Microsoft Word and Excel. 
• Must be extremely organized, analytical and possess highly developed written/oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be external and internal customer service focused.
• Ability to research, escalate and follow up on inquires with a great sense of urgency.
• Must have the ability to overcome objections and obstacles, with a solution-based attitude
• Education
• College degree or equivalent distribution or food service supply chain experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Previous US. Foods experience preferred.
PRISM/Merlin/Tandem skills preferred.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS
•    Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time
•    List the required physical activities including length of time performing each activity referencing the key below

OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVER

JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:    FREQUENCY:
STAND :   OCCASIONALLY

WALK:   OCCASIONALLY

DRIVE:    NEVER

SIT:    FREQUENTLY

LIFT    
1-10 lbs (Sedentary):    OCCASIONALLY

11-20 lbs (Light):    NEVER

21-50 lbs (Medium):    NEVER

51-100 lbs (Heavy):    NEVER

Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy):    NEVER

CARRY    
1-10 lbs (Sedentary):    OCCASIONALLY

11-20 lbs (Light):    NEVER

21-50 lbs (Medium):    NEVER

51-100 lbs (Heavy):    NEVER

Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy):    NEVER

PUSH/PULL: NEVER

CLIMB/BALANCE: NEVER

STOOP/SQUAT:    OCCASIONALLY

KNEEL:    OCCASIONALLY

BEND:     OCCASIONALLY

REACH ABOVE SHOULDER:    OCCASIONALLY

TWIST:    OCCASIONALLY

GRASP OBJECTS: FREQUENTLY

MANIPULATE OBJECTS: FREQUENTLY

MANUAL DEXTERITY: FREQUENTLY

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law.  The expected base rate for this role is between $55,000.00 and $90,000.00

This role will also receive  an annual incentive plan bonus.

?Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.