Category Manager

The Category Manager will own the end-to-end strategy and execution of the Tempo Protein category, balancing customer experience, supply continuity, product innovation, and financial performance. This role serves as the primary business owner for the category, partnering cross-functionally to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and deliver results in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

This role is best suited for someone who enjoys building processes where they don't yet exist, thrives in a rapidly changing environment, and views ambiguity as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain category strategy, in service of company-wide goals 
• Own the identification, evaluation, and choice of suppliers and SKUs for the category
• Coordinate, negotiate, and manage RFPs with both new and current suppliers
• Build strategic supplier partnerships that foster innovation, improve performance, reduce cost, and strengthen long-term supply continuity
• Conduct supply market analysis and collect supplier intelligence to drive sourcing process
• Work closely with culinary team to identify new ingredient needs and test new suppliers
• Coordinate with Cross Functional Partners to ensure all new suppliers meet Home Chef guidelines and expectations
• Act as point on highly visible new protein A/B and Market tests 
• Partner with legal to negotiate contract terms with key supplier partners and ensure terms + conditions of those contracts are managed and met
• Work with Procurement Operations, Warehouse and site teams to improve supply chain performance
• Collaborate with local sites and supplier partners to problem solve regular supply disruptions and secure product in time for weekly meal production
• Own category performance, proactively monitoring key metrics including cost, quality, supply continuity, customer feedback, inventory health, and supplier performance. 
• Attend industry conferences to identify new trends, suppliers and/or ingredients
• Identify, prioritize, and commercialize new product opportunities that support customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial goals

This position requires 10% travel

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or other characteristics needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.
• 5+ years of procurement and sourcing experience (food category-related preferred)
• Background in food and beverage industry highly preferred
• Executive-level succinct communication, both verbal and written; discernment when delivering updates
• Strong data and numerical orientation; baseline Excel/GSheet knowledge (index/match, pivot tables, gut-checking data)
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple cross-functional initiatives with competing timelines
• Ability to lead cross functional teams and stakeholders, and respectfully hold them accountable
• Passion for food and for working in a fast-paced, quickly-growing, entrepreneurial environment a plus
• Completion of a four-year degree program in a related field

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