Category Manager

We are the premier foodservice distributor in Ontario. Flanagan's provides customized foodservice delivery to a varied portfolio of clients; from restaurants to schools, hospitals and retirement homes, we provide the best quality ingredients to ensure Canadians have an amazing food experience wherever they dine tonight

Flanagan Foodservice is Canada’s largest independent foodservice distributor. Proudly Canadian and family owned, we have been serving Ontario for 46 years. We meet our customers' unique needs by delivering value, flexibility and an exceptional customer experience. This mission is made possible by attracting the best talent in the industry and by treating our employees like family. We have been named a winner of the Canada's Best Managed Companies for 10 years in a row.

We are now hiring a Category Manager - Protein at our Kitchener location

**Position Summary**:

- As a well-rounded leader, you drive continual growth in our market share for our Protein Category. You strive to solidify existing relationships with key vendors, establish strategic partnerships with new vendors, and use your leadership and influencing skills to coach and mentor our sales teams to meet our sales targets. Your passion is in building our Centre of the Plate Program with a unique identity that drives demand within our customer base. You will drive efficiency, quality, high fill rate, product performance and food safety within this Program. As a visionary, you understand today’s foodservice operator while also anticipating the future needs of our diverse customer base.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Drive profitable sales growth of the Protein Category.
- Develop and manage Category strategy to achieve budgeted profit and sales.
- Create and facilitate vendor revenue to support our overall sales/margin goals.
- Evaluate vendor purchasing and make recommendations.
- Negotiate vendor contracts, product pricing, preferred vendor programs, customs, brokerage and freight.
- Identify and maintain insights on marketplace and consumer trends and opportunities.
- Enhance existing Centre of the Plate product supply partnerships.
- Manage all product listings and operate as a Category expert for Flanagan’s in Centre of the Plate.
- Act with urgency to address and correct any food safety concerns, while liaising with the Product Recall team.
- Collaborate closely with our Sales team, travelling along to close sales as well as providing coaching and regular training to improve their abilities to sell and promote protein products.
- Work with Marketing to initiate our Vendor/Category marketing plan and provide regular leadership and support to our Supply Chain team.

**Qualifications**:

- 5 years’ related experience in Foodservice sales, Category management, marketing and/or purchasing within the Ontario Marketplace.
- Strong business acumen, product knowledge, and demonstrated success within the Protein (Meat, Seafood & Poultry) categories.
- Exceptional problem solving and organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, with previous proven experience developing and training sales teams.
- Excellent strategic planning and negotiation skills;
- Must have a Class G Driver’s license, and the use of a personal vehicle for work related travel within Ontario

**Benefits**:

- Competitive compensation package
- Pension and RRSP plans
- Profit Sharing Program
- Comprehensive Flexible Benefits
- Paid Personal Days and Your Birthday
- Annual Health & Wellness Benefit
- Family oriented culture

All employees of Flanagan Foodservice must demonstrate adherence to all HACCP and Food Handling practices as well as all Company’s policies and procedures.