Category Sourcing Manager: Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce)
Category Sourcing Manager: Fresh Products (Proteins and Produce)
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USD 55000 - 75000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Site Address : 6500 W. 51st Street Chicago IL 60638
Who We Are
Conexus Food Solutions is a leader in the Asian food service industry bringing a diverse range of ethnic cuisines such as Chinese Japanese Korean and Thai to the table. Our corporate headquarters in Chicago is where we house our fully integrated food processing manufacturing logistics and worldwide supply chain services all under one roof. With distribution centers spanning the US over 2 million square feet of warehousing space and a fleet of more than 1000 trucks were the go-to when it comes to reliable delivery services.
At Conexus Food Solutions we believe that teamwork and collaboration are the keys to success. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honesty in everything we do and building strong relationships with our clients. Were looking for individuals who share our values and are committed to excellence. Join our team and contribute to our culture of collaboration and integrity while growing your own skills and expertise. Together well deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to our clients and achieve great things.
Position Summary:
The Category Manager for Fresh Proteins and Produce is a critical role within our Strategic Sourcing team responsible for overseeing and optimizing the procurement of fresh poultry beef pork and a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables. This position requires an expert understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within these categories including commodity market volatility seasonality food safety and sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a trading mentality bringing a proactive risk-aware and opportunistic approach to sourcing. They will be a highly skilled negotiator and a proactive problem-solver who can develop and execute strategic sourcing plans to ensure supply continuity manage risk and deliver exceptional value.
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Strategy & Market Expertise:
- Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for fresh proteins (beef pork poultry) and fresh produce that align with business goals for quality cost and risk management.
- Continuously monitor and analyze global and domestic commodity markets futures pricing and seasonal trends for assigned categories to inform strategic decisions and identify commitment opportunities.
- Act as the subject matter expert for fresh proteins and produce providing timely market insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
- Supplier & Supply Chain Management:
- Lead the entire sourcing lifecycle from identifying new suppliers to managing ongoing relationships.
- Build and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with farmers growers processors and distributors to ensure a reliable and high-quality supply chain.
- Negotiate contracts that address key risks specific to fresh products including terms for quality standards food safety compliance and supply chain flexibility.
- Develop and manage supplier performance metrics (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement in quality service and cost.
- Cost Management & Risk Mitigation:
- Proactively identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and value-add opportunities within the categories.
- Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies to address market volatility natural disasters and other potential disruptions to the fresh supply chain. This includes a traders mindset for making forward-looking decisions.
- Manage and forecast category spend providing detailed analysis and reporting on savings and budget performance.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance:
- Collaborate closely with internal teams including Quality Assurance Operations R&D and Marketing to ensure product specifications and sourcing strategies meet business needs.
- Ensure all sourcing activities and suppliers adhere to strict food safety regulations (e.g. USDA FDA) sustainability standards and company-specific ethical sourcing policies.
- Support new product development initiatives by sourcing and vetting suppliers for innovative ingredients and product lines.
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration Supply Chain Management Agriculture Food Science or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of strategic sourcing or category management experience with a focus on fresh food products.
- Deep expertise in sourcing fresh proteins (poultry beef pork) and/or fresh produce.
- Demonstrated experience in negotiating complex contracts and managing supplier relationships within the food industry.
- Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings and implementing effective risk management strategies.
- Experience in or exposure to commodity trading futures markets or financial analysis is highly valued.
- Strong trading mentality characterized by a proactive data-driven and opportunistic approach to market fluctuations.
- In-depth knowledge of agricultural supply chains commodity markets and food industry regulations.
- Exceptional negotiation and communication skills with the ability to build consensus and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and financial information to drive strategic decisions.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in procurement software and data analysis tools (e.g. Excel ERP systems).
Salary Range: 70K - 100K
Benefits Offered:
- Medical Insurance Comprehensive coverage to help you and your family stay healthy.
- Dental Insurance Preventive care and treatments to keep your smile bright.
- Vision Insurance Coverage for eye exams glasses and contacts.
- Pet Insurance Help ensure your furry friends are covered for unexpected medical expenses.
- Life Insurance Financial protection for your loved ones in the event of the unexpected.
- 401(k) Plan Save for your future with access to a retirement savings plan.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match:Save for your future and grow your retirement savings with company contributions.
Sponsorship for Employment
Conexus Food Solutions does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Required Experience:
Manager
Employment Type
Full-Time
