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Category Manager

Continental Services

Job Location:

Sterling Heights, MI - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 2 October 2026 (20 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 30 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

A Taste of Who We Are:

Backed by a tireless commitment to high quality innovative culinary offerings and unparalleled client and guest services Continental consistently ranks among the top contract dining and refreshment providers in the nation according to Food Management Magazine the industrys source for food service news and trends.

Our Mission

Delight our guest. Every meal. Every day.

Our Core Values

Exceptional We recruit and retain phenomenal people who consistently go the extra mile to deliver results that lead the industry.

Hospitality We are tirelessly committed to providing the highest quality food beverages and service by anticipating our guests needs so they can count on memorable experiences every time.

Collaboration We prioritize working together with a shared vision and effective & transparent communication we unite as one team to achieve remarkable experiences.

Responsibility we hold ourselves accountable to be there for our team and clients to deliver what we say we will when we say we will and check in on progress along the way.

Innovation We are forward-thinkers always looking for new processes technologies and techniques to increase efficiencies and scalability to improve our services.

The Experience Youll Create:

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category assortment pricing supplier product lifecycle and promotional strategies across assigned Refreshment Services Group channels. This role uses customer insights market trends supplier capabilities and item-level performance to improve sales gross margin product mix waste and the guest and client experience.

The Category Manager sets the commercial direction approved assortment pricing supplier product lifecycle and promotional strategy. Merchandising owns planogram strategy and creation product swaps new-business planograms resets replenishment settings and field execution.

Category Strategy & Planning

Develop category plans for assigned vending micro-market office coffee services and adjacent channels.
Define category roles customer needs growth priorities product architecture and financial objectives.
Use customer insights market trends competitive intelligence and performance data to identify growth opportunities.
Translate strategy into clear assortment pricing promotional financial and execution requirements.
Recommend regional or channel variations when supported by customer demand or operating needs.

Assortment Planograms & Product Lifecycle

Manage approved assortments product mix SKU productivity and lifecycle decisions.
Evaluate products using sales velocity margin cost trends waste stockouts customer preferences and operational requirements.
Lead new item introductions tests substitutions rationalization discontinuations and approved exceptions.
Coordinate approved product transitions with Merchandising Operations Procurement suppliers and other affected teams.
Lead client and healthy program management including approved assortments nutritional information product requirements program standards performance and ongoing optimization.

Pricing Promotions & Margin

Execute enterprise pricing strategy within assigned categories and maintain appropriate price architecture and tiers.
Monitor gross margin and recommend pricing assortment mix cost or supplier actions to achieve financial goals.
Evaluate supplier cost changes rebates incentives and purchasing programs with Procurement and Finance.
Develop promotional recommendations including products price points timing funding and expected outcomes.
Review promotional results and improve waste economics through pack size shelf life supplier terms and assortment decisions.

Performance Compliance & Analytics

Maintain category scorecards covering sales units margin mix SKU productivity waste availability promotions compliance and supplier performance.
Monitor compliance with approved assortments planogram direction pricing promotions and category standards.
Partner with Merchandising and Operations to identify execution gaps establish corrective actions and track completion.
Use performance data field feedback and commercial judgment to identify root causes and prioritize action.
Prepare executive-ready business reviews that communicate performance risks opportunities financial impact and recommendations.

Supplier & Cross- Functional Partnership

Serve as the primary category contact for suppliers and align capabilities costs terms service innovation and growth programs with category strategy.
Evaluate supplier proposals for customer relevance financial return operational feasibility strategic fit and incremental value.
Hold suppliers accountable for agreed funding service levels product information and performance commitments.
Provide Merchandising with approved assortments planogram direction space guidance pricing transition timing and financial targets.
Partner across functions to support launches customer needs acquisitions new business openings and business transitions.

Process & Continuous Improvement & Team Development

Improve category tools reporting standards data quality and operating rhythms.
Balance customer value financial performance supplier programs and operational practicality in decision making.
Lead coach and develop assigned team members by setting clear expectations priorities and accountability.
Provide regular feedback development planning and ongoing support to strengthen category management capabilities.
Support recruiting onboarding training and knowledge sharing to build team capacity and ensure continuity.
Foster a collaborative results-oriented culture focused on ownership responsiveness and continuous improvement.

Ingredients for Thriving:

Bachelors degree in Business Merchandising Marketing Finance Supply Chain Analytics or a related field preferred.
2 years of experience in category management merchandising pricing retail foodservice convenience consumer products or a related multi-site environment.
Strong understanding of category strategy assortment optimization planogram development pricing margin drivers supplier programs and promotional effectiveness.
Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to convert performance data into actionable recommendations.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across Operations Finance Procurement Sales Marketing Merchandising and Analytics.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
Strong communication organization and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Savor the Benefits:

We offer a range of benefits for eligibles team members including: