Associate Category Manager

• Act as the central escalation point of contact for all internal merchandising inquiries related to product, specifications, availability, and substitutions from PSSA
• Become subject matter expert in US Foods systems and tools to quickly and accurately answer inquiries
• Vacancy support and backup to COM and PSSA roles
• Support Category Operations Managers with all analytics requests, local flyer item selection and rebate solicitation, Roll Out Book reviews and assortment projects – including E&O follow up, CASIS billings and vendor meeting preparation
• Serve as gatekeeper of NIR process and tracking log – includes approval process, 30/60/90-day tracking follow-up, etc.
• Support PSSA/COM with escalation requests for proprietary SKU tying
• Enter DCT’s for COM’s on new items & local flyers.
• Analyze weekly ATC communicates and disseminate direction to appropriate parties.
• Develop broker and vendor contacts along with using internal resource pool to independently address and follow up on PSSA escalated inquiries.
• Serve as escalation point of contact for RSC inquires
• Support PSSAs/COMs with sourcing/market baskets/special pricing requests.
• Gatekeeper of all COM related inquires; researching APN lookups, attaching vendors, items and pricing to later approve and send to buyer.
• Other duties assigned by manager.

• Internal: Category Operations Managers, Marketing Managers, Replenishment (Local & RSC), Pricing team, Territory Managers, Account Executives
• External: Local vendors and brokers, as needed.

• Must possess a minimum 5 years of purchasing, merchandising, sales or customer service experience is required, preferably in a foodservice distribution environment.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office especially Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be extremely organized, analytical and possess highly developed written/oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be external and internal customer service focused.
• Ability to research, escalate and follow up on inquires with a great sense of urgency.
• Must have the ability to overcome objections and obstacles, with a solution-based attitude
• Education
• College degree or equivalent distribution or food service supply chain experience required.

• Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time
• List the required physical activities including length of time performing each activity referencing the key below

US Foods