Director of Category Management - COP/Protein

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 looking for an experienced Director of Category Management – Protein / Center of Plate to lead category strategy and drive profitable growth across our beef, pork, poultry, veal, seafood, and specialty protein portfolio. This highly visible role will partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Margin Management, Operations, and supplier partners to strengthen product offerings, improve category performance, and expand exclusive and private-label penetration across the organization.

What You’ll Bring to the Table

• Develop and execute category strategies for fresh and frozen protein and Center of Plate products.
• Drive profitable sales growth, margin improvement, and exclusive-brand penetration across all divisions.
• Lead category reviews and analyze sales, margin, inventory, customer, and market data to identify growth opportunities.
• Evaluate current product assortments, identify product gaps, and recommend new products, suppliers, and category expansion opportunities.
• Partner with Sales leadership to increase customer penetration, convert business to exclusive brands, and support regional sales initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing on category promotions, product positioning, branding strategy, sales materials, and go-to-market initiatives.
• Lead the end-to-end RFP process, including category assessment, supplier evaluation, bid analysis, negotiations, and final recommendations.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, pricing, rebates, marketing programs, service levels, and other commercial terms.
• Monitor protein commodity markets, pricing fluctuations, supply conditions, industry trends, and competitor activity.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with domestic and international suppliers, processors, manufacturers, brokers, and other industry partners.
• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain on forecasting, inventory planning, product availability, quality, and supplier performance.
• Develop vendor programs that support sales growth, profitability, customer value, and competitive positioning.
• Create category-specific training and product education for Sales teams and division leadership.
• Present category strategies, financial performance, market conditions, and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including sales growth, gross margin, exclusive-brand penetration, inventory turns, cases per drop, and lines per drop.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop category management talent.
• Support acquisition integration by evaluating suppliers, rationalizing assortments, and aligning category strategies across divisions.

What We’re Looking For

• We are seeking a strategic, commercially minded category leader with deep protein and Center of Plate experience within foodservice or wholesale distribution.
• The ideal candidate has successfully owned category strategy, led RFPs, negotiated supplier agreements and vendor programs, conducted category reviews, optimized product assortments, and partnered closely with Sales and Marketing to deliver measurable business results.
• This role is best suited for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats and is equally comfortable developing long-term strategy and remaining actively involved in day-to-day execution.

The Ingredients for Success

• 10+ years of progressive experience in protein, Center of Plate, Category Management, Procurement, Merchandising, or Strategic Sourcing within foodservice distribution.
• Strong knowledge of beef, pork, poultry, veal, seafood, and related commodity markets.
• Demonstrated experience owning category strategy, assortment decisions, pricing, supplier programs, and financial performance.
• Strong supplier negotiation, contract management, vendor-program, and RFP experience.
• Experience developing private-label or exclusive-brand programs.
• Proven ability to partner with Sales and Marketing to execute category growth initiatives.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, including experience evaluating sales, margin, inventory, forecasts, and market data.
• Leadership experience developing category managers, buyers, or merchandising professionals.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience presenting category reviews and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar data-visualization tools preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Ingredients

• Experience with a broadline or specialty foodservice distributor.
• Established relationships with protein manufacturers, processors, brokers, and suppliers.
• Experience working across multiple divisions, regions, or distribution centers.
• Experience integrating categories following acquisitions.

The Details

• Schedule: Monday – Friday | Standard business hours
• Work Location: Onsite | Piscataway, NJ
• Travel: As needed to support supplier relationships, regional teams, customer meetings, and industry events
• Compensation: $125,000 – $165,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid holidays, and additional voluntary benefits

Apply today and help shape the strategy behind one of Ferraro Foods’ most important product categories!

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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.