Associate Category Manager

• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

The Associate Category Manager is a key asset to KeHE’s Category Management Team.  This position is responsible for assisting the category management team in achieving their goals, and objectives and maintaining KeHE’s reputation as a best-in-class distributor.  The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills and will work with several data platforms including Power BI and KeHE Connect.  Reports can include information regarding sales, unit movement, margin, credits, points of distribution, etc. by vendor, brand and SKU, to assist Category Managers with their decisions.  This person will work collaboratively with various departments within KeHE to obtain needed information and provide needed output.  It is critically important that the Associate Category Manager be quick and accurate in performing ad-hoc analyses and projects requested by the Category Managers or the Executive Director. This person should have exceptional time management and project management skills. As with all positions at KeHE, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision and Values.   

• Analyze our vendor, brand, and SKU performance, promotional programs and identify opportunities for improvement
• Communicate Vendor and Brand profitability information (based on the above analysis) to our CMs, and as needed to our Account Managers (AMs) so that their own assortment decisions maximize enterprise profit.
• Manage and update reports regarding new vendors, SKU productivity, sales performance, roadmaps, past due inventory, etc.
• Assist with bottle deposits, beverage taxes etc.
• Complete ad-hoc requests and special projects in a timely and accurate fashion
• Update training manuals and guides for category managers and vendors

• Work as a team player for all planning and implementation of collective projects such as: KeHE trade shows and pavilions, external trade shows (e.g. Expo West, Fancy Food), KeHE publications, webinars, and vendor programs.
• Work collegially and productively with relevant headquarter teams [e.g., marketing, growth solutions, supply chain (replenishment), business analysis, sales enablement, and sales] to achieve quick traction for new products, programs, and continuous sales growth for existing product lines.
• Manage administrative aspects of assigned tasks to assist Category Managers in achieving shared goals and objectives.
• Seek opportunities to improve current processes and procedures
• Follow established company policies and procedures in achieving the above accountabilities

Education and Experience:

• College Diploma or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum one (1) years’ experience in Category Management, administration or sales management within the food industry.
• Proficient with Word, Excel (advanced level), and PowerPoint software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate findings and recommendations in writing to internal audiences as well as external manufacturers, brokers and KeHE account managers.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced business environment.
• Capacity to learn and process quickly.
• Possess a sense of urgency and attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and often with minimal direction or time conflicting pressures.
• Willingness to travel domestically, occasionally over weekends (about 10-15%)