Category Manager - Distribution

Pacific Seafood is seeking a Category Manager I - Distribution in Oregon, IL. This role involves managing sales and marketing strategies, supply chain relations, and market analysis for category growth. Candidates should have a BA/BS degree, 5+ years in category management, and the ability to travel up to 50%. The position emphasizes teamwork, quality, and excellence as part of the company's core values.
Position: Category Manager I - Distribution
Location: Oregon
At Pacific Seafood, we do more than just provide the world with the healthiest proteins on the planet. We are an excellence-driven organization committed to being the brand of choice in the marketplace and the employer of choice in the community. We believe in servant leadership, investing in our team members, and rewarding performance. We live by the core values of our Diamond Philosophy:
Quality, Teamwork, Productivity, and Excellence—meaning consistently doing your best and always striving to do better.

Summary:

A Category Manager I at Pacific Seafood is a key role on our Procurement team supporting the overall strategy, growth, and performance of the category. This position involves strategy, analytics, and interdepartmental collaboration, and is ideal for someone with strategic skills, leadership abilities, and attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities:
• Sales and Marketing Strategy Management:
• Budget and develop sales and execution plans for the category, considering periodical, product form, customer, branch, price, and cost factors.
• Drive category placements and eliminate unprofitable items to optimize sales effectiveness.
• Develop marketing campaigns aligned with sales strategies to support market penetration and product positioning.
• Supply Chain and Vendor Relations:
• Maintain category supply and source from external vendors as needed, assisting in strategic sourcing and procurement processes.
• Manage supplier service levels, quotations, product projections, fill rates, and quality control to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate with vendors for procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, and services to optimize costs and quality.
• Market Analysis and Forecasting:
• Monitor market dynamics, communicate changing conditions, and develop price forecasts for market drivers.
• Provide regular updates and talking points to the sales team to keep them informed and competitive.
• Analyze sales performance to ensure margin accuracy and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Training, Relationship Building, and Compliance:
• Train sales representatives on product features, benefits, and effective positioning strategies.
• Cultivate relationships with sales management to develop plans for inventory management, customer profitability analysis, and innovation.
• Visit distribution and processing facilities to facilitate category growth and strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with import requirements, documentation, safety practices, and other relevant regulations.
What you Bring to Pacific Seafood:

Required:
• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive category management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated expert-level knowledge of category management with a proven track record of building successful, sustainable categories.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time or more, as required.

Preferred:
• Prior experience in data analysis, forecasting methods, and strategic modeling.
• Prior seafood category management experience.
• Master's degree in business administration.
Total Compensation

At Pacific Seafood, your base wage is only a portion of your overall compensation package. We invest in our Team Members through a comprehensive and attractive total rewards package, including but not limited to:
• Health insurance benefits options, including medical, prescription, vision, dental, basic group life, and short-term disability.
• Flexible spending accounts for health flex and dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan options with generous annual company profit-sharing match.
• Paid time off for all regular FT team members, including sick, vacation, holiday, and personal time.
• Employee Assistance Program—Confidential professional counseling, financial, and legal assistance at no charge to Team Members and immediate family members.
• Product purchase program.

Pacific Seafood is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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