Category Manager

At Flanagan Foodservice, we're more than just the biggest family-owned food distributor in Canada; we're a dynamic hub of innovation, creativity, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional service.

For nearly 50 years, we've been on an exciting journey of growth and transformation. The foodservice landscape is thrilling and challenging, and as we reshape our business, we're on the hunt for imaginative minds, business strategists, and food lovers.

We are currently hiring for a Category Manager - Dairy in Kitchener

If you're highly motivated and are ready for an exciting career that will shape the future of the foodservice industry, we want to hear from you.

Position Summary:

Your passion is in building our Dairy Category with a unique identity that drives demand within our customer base. You will manage the category to drive penetration, share, efficiency, quality and high fill rates. You understand today's foodservice operator and will anticipate the future needs of our diverse customer base.

What we offer you:

• Competitive Compensation Package
• Opportunity to be home every night
• Comprehensive Flexible Benefits effective from day one
• Profit Sharing Program, Pension and RRSP plans
• Uniform and Boot Allowance
• Paid Personal Days and your Birthday
• Annual Health & Wellness Benefits
• Family-Oriented Culture
• Employee Recognition Programs

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all product listings, programs and costing for the Dairy Category. Operate as a Category expert for Flanagan's in the Dairy segment
• Grow existing dairy product supply partnerships, emphasizing innovation and responsiveness to customer opportunities
• Develop Dairy category annual plans to meet gross margin objectives
• Partner closely with Sales teams, travelling along to close sales as well as providing coaching and regular training to improve their ability to sell and promote the Dairy segment
• Identify and maintain insights on marketplace and consumer trends and opportunities
• Collaborate with our Marketing team to initiate our Vendor/Category marketing plan and provide regular leadership support to our Dairy Buyer and the Supply Chain Team
• Lead the financial analysis, competitive analysis, customer insights, and financial modeling of private label business opportunities
• Collaborate with other Category Managers on strategic initiatives and ensure that the development of innovative and differentiated products that grow private label brand and help to achieve overall strategy, sales and market share
• Ensuring execution is continuously aligned with the expected strategic direction
• Manage the supply flow and planning of inventory
• Provide input on Dairy segment to the VP of Specialty Companies in support of the strategic planning process throughout the year
• Lead the implementation of 'National' initiatives across our subsidiaries and affiliates
• Create and facilitate vendor earned income to support our overall sales/margin goals
• Evaluate and make vendor purchasing recommendations
• Complete and keep up to date on all Health & Safety, Food Safety and Quality Assurance training pertinent to the role.
• Responsible for reporting any and all concerns related to the Health & Safety, safe handling and integrity of all items received, stored and distributed by Flanagan Foodservice.
• Adherence to all Health & Safety, Food Safety and WHMIS practices
• Follow safe and efficient work procedures to meet customer requirements including maintaining a clean and safe environment

Required Qualifications:

• A Business degree from a recognized college or university or a Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation
• Minimum five years related experience in Food Service sales and/or marketing or purchasing
• Demonstrated self-starter who is highly motivated and recognized for strong organization and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong presentation skills
• Proven ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community
• Proven ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Demonstrated computer expertise using Microsoft Office Suite

Unique Requirements:

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Successful ability to work collaboratively and thrive in a fast paced, team oriented environment;
• Must have own vehicle and valid Ontario Driver's License
• Ability to travel periodically in Ontario

Be Part of the Legacy

All employees of Flanagan Foodservice must demonstrate adherence to all Health & Safety and Food Safety practices as well as all Company's policies and procedures.

Flanagan Foodservice Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please let us know by submitting your request to so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodations.