Director of Category Management, Produce

Job Description

Job Description

At Ferraro Foods, we are more than a distributor. We help customers across the food industry succeed by delivering quality ingredients and building strong partnerships.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Produce to lead the strategy, procurement, merchandising, and growth of our fresh produce category. This role will be responsible for shaping our produce program across fruits, vegetables, organic, and seasonal offerings while ensuring quality, consistency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

The Director of Produce will partner closely with Procurement, Sales, Operations, Merchandising, and supplier partners to drive category performance, strengthen supplier relationships, identify market opportunities, and position Ferraro Foods as a leader in fresh produce distribution.

What You'll Bring to the Table

• Lead the overall strategy and direction of the produce category across the organization
• Develop and manage category plans that balance quality, profitability, customer demand, and market trends
• Build and maintain strong relationships with produce growers, suppliers, and distributors
• Negotiate contracts, pricing programs, and supplier agreements to support company objectives
• Drive new product development and category innovation based on customer demand and industry trends
• Collaborate with Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to develop programs that increase produce sales and customer penetration
• Develop pricing strategies that maintain competitive positioning while protecting margin objectives
• Monitor category performance and analyze sales, margin, and market data to identify growth opportunities
• Conduct market research on industry trends, consumer preferences, seasonality, and competitive activity
• Partner with Operations to ensure inventory availability, product quality, traceability, and efficient supply chain execution
• Present category strategies, market insights, and performance results to executive leadership
• Support sales teams through category expertise, product education, and participation in customer and regional sales meetings
• Lead supplier onboarding, sourcing initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts across the produce category

The Ingredients for Success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Food Science, or a related field preferred
• 10+ years of experience in procurement, merchandising, or category management with a focus on fresh produce
• Experience within foodservice distribution strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of produce sourcing, seasonality, market trends, and supplier networks
• Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated success managing supplier relationships
• Experience developing merchandising, pricing, and promotional strategies that drive category growth
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills
• Experience presenting business results and recommendations to executive leadership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Experience with Tableau or similar business intelligence and reporting tools preferred
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel approximately 10–20% as needed

The Details

• Schedule: Monday – Friday | Standard Business Hours
• Work Location: Onsite | Piscataway, NJ
• Travel: Approximately 10–20%
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with company contribution, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and additional voluntary benefits

Apply today and help drive the future of Ferraro Foods' fresh produce business!

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Ferraro Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.