Category Manager, Produce

Founded in 2013 Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at in retail at more than 2100 Kroger grocery stores Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple delicious meals no matter how busy they are.

In 2023 Home Chef introduced a new brand Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed fiber-rich calorie and carb conscious keto-friendly and dietitian-approved.

Similar to our recipes we recognize that variety is the spice of life and therefore our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. Were eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chefs offerings.

TheCategory Manager Produceowns the end-to-end category strategy sourcing and supplier management for Home Chefs fresh produce program. This role is responsible for building and executing sourcing strategies that balance cost quality and supply assurance while supporting menu innovation and operational excellence across Home Chefs network of fulfillment centers. The Manager partners cross-functionally with Culinary Quality Procurement and Operations to drive category performance mitigate supply risk and continuously improve supplier partnerships and produce program standards.

Detailed Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sourcing:

• Own the produce category sourcing strategy including cost management supply assurance and quality optimization.
• Lead supplier identification vetting and onboarding in collaboration with Food Safety Quality and Procurement Operations teams.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify industry trends seasonal availability and pricing dynamics affecting produce supply.
• Develop and manage RFPs bid analyses and supplier negotiations to deliver competitive total cost of ownership and long-term value.
• Evaluate sourcing decisions based on supplier capability risk cost structure and logistics alignment.
• Collaborate with Culinary and Product Development teams to support menu innovation new product launches and spec optimization.

Supplier Management & Performance:

• Serve as the primary contact for produce suppliers managing relationships to ensure alignment with Home Chefs operational and quality expectations.
• Establish and monitor supplier KPIs including on-time performance quality adherence and cost compliance.
• Lead regular business reviews with key suppliers to evaluate performance resolve issues and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to validate pricing volume forecasts and cost changes.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance through feedback audits and corrective action management.
• Participate in Produce Expo visits to collaborate with new and existing vendors.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner closely with Culinary FSQA Operations Procurement and Distribution teams to ensure alignment between category strategy and execution.
• Collaborate with the Procurement team to resolve supply shortages quality issues or logistics disruptions at fulfillment centers.
• Work cross-functionally to develop produce handling storage and specification standards that improve product quality and shelf life.
• Support the forecasting and planning process by providing insight into seasonal trends yield considerations and market fluctuations.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Buyers and Category Associates supporting the produce category.
• Foster collaboration across the broader Category Management and Procurement teams to ensure alignment and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the Produce category internally as the subject matter expert for supplier landscape product trends and category performance.

Financial & Analytical Management:

• Own category-level cost forecasting and budgeting analyzing trends to identify cost reduction and efficiency opportunities.
• Review and analyze category spend data to monitor performance and ensure compliance with budgetary targets.
• Partner with the Sourcing Analytics & Strategy team to assess category performance benchmark pricing and evaluate sourcing scenarios.
• Support development of KPI dashboards and category reports that track savings cost drivers and supplier metrics.

This position requires up to 30% travel.

Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill ability and/or other characteristics needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• 4 year(s) experience in strategic sourcing ideally within perishable goods
• Strong analytical skills with competency in Excel
• Experience in relationship management
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field

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