Associate, Category Management

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are. In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.

About the role

The Associate Category Manager is responsible for building a national category strategy by researching suppliers, performing RFPs, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and executing that strategy at the plant level.

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy
  • Research the supply chain, industry structure, and potential supplier partners by using online tools, industry resources, and talking to suppliers
  • Conduct research into supplier capabilities and product portfolios
  • Create and present recommendations for sourcing strategies based on data-driven research
  • Formulate and execute strategic sourcing plans with our distribution/fulfillment centers
• Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Support the plants by improving efficiencies, manage category costs, and reducing fulfillment and cost risk within the Home Chef supply chain
  • Work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Culinary, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, Procurement) to compare supplier samples, align on product spec and troubleshoot quality concerns
  • Assist in managing emergency supply shorts and use category expertise to expedite replacement products or substitutes to plant teams
• Minor Sourcing Project Management
  • Conduct supplier discovery, exploratory conversations, and research
  • Ensure NDAs are signed and draft RFP documentation
  • Analyze bids received and provide pricing feedback to suppliers
  • Make sourcing recommendations to category managers
• Vendor Management
  • Work and communicate with supplier partners to ensure that category goals are met
  • Share short-term and long-term forecasts with vendors
  • Address quality and fulfillment-related issues with the vendors and make sure corrective actions are taken
  • Collect required documentation from vendors to meet FSQA guidelines

Requirements

• 1+ year(s) experience in strategic sourcing, ideally within perishable goods
• Strong analytical skills, with competency in Excel
• Experience in relationship management
• Completion of a four-year degree in business or a related field

Benefits

• Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

Pay

Home Chef offers the base salary range as posted below, with the exact offer depending on factors such as geographic location, experience, skills, and internal equity. Illinois Pay Range: $67,000 USD - $74,500 USD.

How We Work Together

• We are humble team players. We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.
• We are pragmatic next-level thinkers. We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.
• We take ownership. We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more.
• We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you’ll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace. We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.