Job Description

Additional Considerations (if any):

Our mission statement is "To fulfill the highest expectations of our customers through the hands of our dedicated employees."
Job Title: Category Manager III
Department: Purchasing
FLSA: Salary
General Function: Responsible for proper replenishment and negotiation of assigned products.
Core CompetenciesPartnerships Growth mindset Results oriented Customer focused Professionalism

Reporting Relations:
Accountable and Reports to: VP Sales and Purchasing
Positions that Report to you: None
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:Reports to work when scheduled on time. Adheres to company policies and departmental guidelines. Negotiates special buys and development of promotional items that produce extra sales and profit for both PDI and the customer. Responds in a timely manner to customer requests for special orders, ads and events, and coordinates execution. Identifies and implements cost reduction and/or revenue enhancements in the distribution chain. Demonstrates leadership in overall conduct setting the example in the areas of dress-code, attitude, problem solving, team building, and professionalism. Monitors and sells short code product. Communicates with all departments and improves the overall profit of the parties involved. Stays informed on commodity markets that are directly affected by items purchased. Utilizes DFIO exposure to support informed buying decisions. Maintains responsibility for profitability assigned categories Contributes to ad writing process through ad quotes, ad actuals, and ad movement. Approves new items including unbiased judgment on what new items to bring in, holding vendors accountable for items that do not sell, and enforcing the 90-day trial period and/or determining if items need more time. Also evaluates the movement of other items in the category to notice when sales have dropped. Communicates new items and product availability with Hy-Vee leadership, customer service, customers, and warehouse via email and click and send. Demonstrates teamwork with the vendors to maximize fill rates. Participates in Buyers' meetings weekly. Demonstrates leadership by finding solutions to benefit the operation. Determines and maintains proper fill rate for each individual item. Factors such as customer needs, seasonality, and standard deviation percentage will properly be taken into account. Takes advantage of forward buys considering the shelf life, storage facilities constraint, and logistics of the transportation and warehouse departments. Visits customers at the store to determine needs, expectations, introduce new programs, and to establish good customer relations as needed. Attends seminars, food shows, walks competition, and store grand openings as needed Other duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics:Good computer skills and spreadsheet abilities. Extensive understanding in math and/or statistics. Must be able to handle interruptions with ease. Good verbal communication skills. Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate information. Excellent purchasing, pricing, and market knowledge, and inventory control. Good customer relations, interpersonal, and telephone etiquette presenting a positive representation of PDI to inside and outside contacts. Good understanding of market trends. Attention to detail and ability to work accurately with figures. Good organizational, problem solving, and administrative skills.

Education and Experience:High school education or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in statistics, business, and math or related area preferred. 2 years' experience in related food industry required.

Physical Requirements:This position is considered sedentary to light in nature according to the Department of Labor Weight Classifications with primary functions being sedentary in nature. This is considered a skilled position with frequent to constant listening, talking, and handling of papers, files, and use of computer requiring finger dexterity.

Working Conditions:Office environment (climate controlled). Busy atmosphere with constant interruptions May be required to work in busy, noisy warehouse environment (refrigerated temperatures varying from 35 degrees to -8 degrees and ambient dry warehouse conditions) with interaction with powered industrial equipment.

Equipment Used to Perform Job:P. C., 10-key calculator, office telephone system, Microsoft Office, DFIO software.

Contacts: Daily contact with store personnel and frequent contact with suppliers/vendors.
Confidentiality: Has access to confidential information, including pricing.