Product Category Manager - Somerset, NJ- Hybrid - Sysco

Who We Are- Guest WorldwideGuest Worldwide is a global collective of dynamic, industry-leading companies with more than 40 years of unparalleled experience serving the unique needs of diverse markets in every corner of the world. From providing full-spectrum hospitality and distribution solutions at Guest Supply® and manufacturing award-winning personal care amenities at Gilchrist & Soames, to manufacturing versatile and innovative product assortments that create smarter textile solutions at Manchester Mills, we’re proud to provide products to more than 25,000 hotels in over 100 countries. Guest Worldwide is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco – an industry leading, global food and beverage distribution company, employing thousands of employees worldwide and home to the 13th largest sales organization in the world. Learn more by visiting www.guestworldwide.com.Position Purpose:Need to develop overall category and manage its execution on sourcing. Manage product assortment, pricing recommendations, vendor relationships and reviews to improve cost of goods savings (COGS). Accountable for identifying and executing transitions and including performance analysis into the ongoing refinement of strategy development and implementation.Primary Responsibilities:Develop and manage a strategic plan on identification of potential opportunities for domestic buying vs direct sourcing. Develop short and long term category objectives aimed at driving the category to meet business growth targets.Develop consumer business tree to inform strategy for managing the category.  Collaborates with regions and divisions to tailor category management strategies to leverage opportunities, mitigate obstacles and drive performance.Establish, maintain and grow relationships with suppliers and lead negotiation efforts. Identify market, new product and category growth opportunities.  Manage vendor communications and consistently provide vendor performance feedback and resolve complex issues.  Work with suppliers on new, innovative products.Work with quality assurance on setting up product protocols. Establish product specifications for vendors in conjunction with Product Development and monitor performance.Manage overall category product assortment, to include the execution of assortment reviews, determining core SKU's, reviewing new vendor items and reducing product duplication.Develop category level pricing strategies, continually reviewing pricing structure and implementing changes to maximize performance.Education:Bachelor's degree in Business or related field required.Experience:Minimum 5 years of Category management or equivalent experience.Skills:Solid quantitative and analytical skills and the ability to work in a team setting, drive team results and support change management within the organization. Must possess, or be able to rapidly develop, a strong knowledge of products within assigned category and division sales requirements.Physical Demands and Work ConditionsThe demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms.  The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.